Track build underway for NTI Townsville 500

Work has begun on the track build for next month’s biggest annual sporting event in North Queensland, the NTI Townsville 500.

With just 25 days until the Repco Supercars Championship returns to Reid Park for the 15th anniversary since Supercars' debut in Townsville, crews of contractors will begin setting up barricades and 13km of fencing around the 2.86km circuit.

In-form rookie Ryan Wood, who drives the Mobil 1 Truck Assist Ford Mustang and Nulon Racing Chevrolet Camaro driver James Golding joined Event Manager Matt Ramsden to get the construction work underway.

Ramsden said: “It's fantastic to be back and kick off the preparations for what promises to be one of the biggest events we've ever organised here in Townsville.

“One of the highlights is working with familiar faces we've collaborated with for over a decade. Numerous local companies have been involved since the inaugural year of racing in 2009.

“It’s a huge task that we are proud to deliver again this year where we serve over 5000 local prawns ans oysters, more than 5000 locally prepared bread rolls, predominately prepared by local suppliers.”

The week's tasks involve securing the event site and constructing grandstands that offer optimal viewing of the track.

In the following weeks, corporate facilities will be built to accommodate over 3,500 fans from across Australia.

The final construction piece will be this year’s entertainment stage, where thousands of spectators will witness one of the biggest ever line ups announced for Supercars’ trip to Townsville – Tones And I, G Flip and Cyril.

The trio of acts will take to the stage on Saturday July 6.

Concert access is included in a same day event ticket for fans, being a three-day, two- day, Saturday General Admission, Grandstand or Corporate Hospitality ticket – which can all be purchased through Supercars.com.

The entertainment at the NTI Townsville 500 will flow across all three days of the event, including some of the best on track displays the event has ever seen.

Some of the best support categories in the country return, including the Dunlop Super2 and Dunlop Super3 Series, the Porsche Carrera Cup, Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 GR Cup and the Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series.

Trackside, fans will also be able to enjoy the Supercars Family Zone, autograph sessions, merchandise alley and grandstand seating.

The transporter parade will mark Supercars arrival on Wednesday 3 July, while fans will get the chance to meet with their favourite drivers at Townsville’s famous Strand on Thursday 4 July at the new location of Jezzine Barracks, from 5:00pm, just hours before racing begins.

The NTI Townsville 500 is proudly supported by Townsville City Council and the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland Major Events Program.