A view on the 2024 Tasmania SuperSprint
I want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the 28,830 fans who braved the weather to support the Tasmania SuperSprint. Contrary to media commentary, this attendance figure is only down 0.6 percent from 2023, while our corporate hospitality numbers saw a 7.0 percent increase. This is a testament to the commitment and passion of our Tasmanian and travelling supporters. Given the challenging weather on Saturday, this is a result we are proud of.
At Supercars, we are always working closely with our long-standing partners, including the Tasmanian Government and Motorsport Tasmania, to ensure that our events are held at the best possible times of the year. We are confident that when we announce the 2025 calendar, it will reflect a time that suits our key stakeholders and our fans, allowing everyone to enjoy Supercars in Tasmania.
Moving forward, we hope to make an exciting announcement regarding the future commitment of Supercars to racing in Tasmania. We plan to build on what has worked well, including the inaugural street party in Hobart, which was a highlight this year. The fans across the state were treated to an amazing event, and we intend to continue delivering these experiences well into the future.
The racing at Symmons Plains was a showcase of the strength of our category. The intense battles on track, particularly as the Gen3 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro raced side by side down the back straight, demonstrated the competitiveness and unpredictability that define Supercars.
This is a direct result of the significant investment we've made in wind tunnel and engine testing, ensuring that no one can predict who will come out on top as we head into the critical final rounds of the season: the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000, the Gold Coast 500, and our season ending Adelaide 500.
Nick Percat and the Matt Stone Racing Team's performance in Tasmania underscored just how tight the competition is in 2024. His win on Saturday, followed by a tough qualifying session on Sunday that saw him start last on the grid, highlights the dynamic nature of our racing. Moments like these are what make Supercars one of the most exciting motorsport categories in the world.
As a proud Tasmanian, alongside our CEO Shane Howard, I can assure you that while the commentary around the weather may have been exaggerated, the weekend was mild. Sunday's crowd was a testament to that. The winds and rain on Saturday presented challenges, but this is part of the reality of outdoor sports in a truly national series like Supercars, a series that will continue to thrive in Tasmania and beyond for years to come.
Rationally, there are various reasons there are constraints on national competitors when it comes to logistics to get to Tasmania, which are as crucial as the on-track product. We understand the challenges this presents, and we are proud to continue showcasing Tasmanian racers and their hometown categories.
One such competitor who started as a fan on the hill at Symmons Plains, Lochie Dalton, is now a proud Dunlop Super2 Series driver who debuted in the Repco Supercars Championship as a wildcard last month. Inspiring young Tasmanians to want to be Supercars' drivers is a tradition that will never change, nor should it.
Finally, regarding comments on our television product, our commentators brought the excitement and intensity of the Tasmanian event to fans at home and around the world. The broadcast showcased the thrilling racing, drama in pit lane, and the emotion of the event. We are committed to building on this in the future, starting with the 60th anniversary running of the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 next month. See you there.
Barclay Nettlefold
