When an F1 world champion tackled Townsville

There was a very different name and face on the Reid Park grid when Supercars visited Townsville in 2012 – that of 1997 Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

The Canadian raced a Pepsi Max Commodore for Kelly Racing, subbing in the #51 Holden while Greg Murphy was sidelined by a back injury sustained in that year’s Adelaide season opener.

Townsville was the first of three events Villeneuve contested with the team, that outing followed by the Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park races.

While it was a largely-unhappy spell, with a best grid position of 27th and race finish of 24th, it certainly added some international flavour to the trip north.

was realistic about my chances in Townsville not even testing the car.

"On reflection I was pleased with the progress we made as a team through that weekend and comfortable with the knowledge that we can move forward in Ipswich and Sydney."

An engine problem for David Wall’s Brad Jones Racing Commodore in Saturday qualifying at Queensland Raceway meant Villeneuve at least avoided starting all six of his races last.

He finished 24th in both races that weekend and in the Sydney Motorsport Park opener, on the lead lap in the latter, then 26th in his final outing.

Murphy, having missed five events – David Russell stood in for the other two – then returned for the enduros before retiring from full-time competition at the season's end.