Psychic croc selects who will win NTI Townsville 500

Townsville's world-famous 5.2 metre, 800kg psychic crocodile, Krakatoa, has predicted a Ford win this weekend at the NTI Townsville 500.

The largest estuarine crocodile in Queensland who calls Townsville's famous Billabong Sanctuary home, was watched on by his famous girlfriend Madonna as he leaped up to select food tied to flags of both Ford and Chevrolet today - and the Blue Oval was the big fella's choice.

Krakatoa also selected a win for the Australian team in Friday night's Pro Bull Riding competition, that will be a world-first - where PBR joins a motorsport event for the first time.

Cameron Griffiths, General Manager of Billabong Sanctuary, said: "We use Krakatoa to predict the State of Origin, and generally he comes up pretty much honest, he picked every game last year.

"He missed out on the last one, so we thought we'd put it to the test for the Supercars on the weekend and for the bull riding.

"He likes a turducken, so we might give him something extra special if he picks both of them."

This week's NTI Townsville 500 will also serve as the penultimate round of the Repco Sprint Cup, with vital points on the line before a Sprint Champion is crowned and locks in the first guaranteed place in the inaugural Repco Supercars Championship Finals Series.

Red Bull Ampol Racing's Chevrolet ace Broc Feeney leads the Supercars table by 183 points from teammate and defending Supercars Champion Will Brown.

In a global first, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Australia will bring its renowned, high-adrenaline format to the heart of the Supercars precinct with the first-ever Australia vs New Zealand PBR showdown.

The Friday night spectacle will see elite riders from both countries go head-to-head in front of a roaring crowd, with the bullring set up behind the Supercars paddock and access included for all same-day ticket holders.

The event will also play host to Summernats Goes Troppo, an unmissable daily showcase of burnouts, drift cars, dyno runs, and elite show vehicles, led by more than 20 purpose-built burnout beasts and drift stars including Leteisha Chun Tie and Mercurial Mouse.

MotorEx Alley brings the country’s biggest car culture expo to North Queensland for the first time, with the Horsepower Hero dyno show, live Flying Spanners engine build battles, signing sessions, expert panels and special guest builds including Joe Bauer’s 3000hp Dodge Charger.

Street Machine Magazine will stage one of its most high-profile show and shine displays, packed with the toughest Aussie street cars on the scene.

Fresh off a sold-out national tour, 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright will headline the NTI Townsville 500’s live music program, performing hits from his #1 country EP.

NTI Townsville 500 Event Manager Matt Ramsden said: "The track build is well underway, we're getting very, very close now. Boundary Street and Charters Towers Road are shut, so we're full swing into the build.

"Things are really starting to come to life down on site, and we can't wait to open the doors on Friday.

"We actually saw a couple of people at the Cowboys game on Saturday night in racing gear, so that's a good sign that a lot of people are hanging around for both weekends, really taking in the best of North Queensland and the Townsville region.

"Ticket sales are tracking on really well, expecting a late surge this week, and looking forward to the excitement of the Townsville 500."

All same-day ticket holders will be able to access the entire Reid Park precinct.

Practice begins on Friday morning ahead of Friday Qualifying and the 100km race.

The event is live and ad free on Fox Sports and Kayo, with the Seven Network broadcasting Saturday and Sunday action live. Check local guides for details.