The Virgin Australia Supercars Championship has confirmed back-to-back rounds in Townsville will follow the two Northern Territory rounds starting next week.
Taking place from 29 August, this year’s double header will be hosted at the familiar Reid Park, with spectators also allowed to attend.
Both Townsville rounds will also welcome support categories to its schedules, which will be run in the same three races format as seen at the Sydney rounds, with Supercars turning to more state and local based categories.
The first Townsville round, known as the NTI Townsville SuperSprint will feature the North Queensland SuperSprint category and the Townsville Tin Top’s Powered by Motorsportsales.com.au, while the popular Hyundai Excels Series will run on the second weekend.
With Supercars working alongside the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council to get the event up and running, Supercars CEO Sean Seamer was grateful of reaching an agreement suitable to all parties.
“We’d like to thank the Queensland Government and Townsville City Council for supporting this concept which allows Supercars to race at one of our favourite circuits on back-to-back weekends,” Seamer said.
“Two weeks of racing in Townsville allows us to maximise exposure and competition during the key Northern leg of this year’s championship.”
“Supercars would like to thank drivers, officials, team personnel and their families for their continued support of this year’s Championship during these times.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart echoed Seamer’s comments and was also thrilled Supercars would be running two consecutive rounds in the region.
“This event will pump millions of dollars into local businesses and support local jobs,” Stewart added.
“We understand how lucrative major events are when it comes to giving our economy a shot in the arm — that’s why we’ve fought tooth and nail to secure a great line-up of events for Townsville.”
Motorsport identity and co-organiser Nathan Cayzer was excited with the three categories given the green light to run with a number of local competitors to compete on the national stage for the first time.
“It’s about getting motorsport back out on track both for drivers and fans alike - and at all levels, not just the main game,” Cayzer said.
“Townsville and its outer community have a number of motorsport enthusiasts and for Supercars to be able to give a number of guys the chance to get racing again around their local street circuit is just awesome.
“I’m confident that the people at the track and watching on the TV are going to get the chance to see some pretty cool cars.”
The NTI Townsville SuperSprint will run on 29-30 August at Reid Park with the second Supersprint to take place on 5-6 September at the same venue.