Indy fever launched for 14th year
5/9/2004 23:19 (Press Release) -
The 14th Lexmark Indy 300 was officially launched today by Premier Peter Beattie and Deputy Premier Terry Mackenroth in a colourful showcase of the Event’s many vital elements at Dreamworld.
Reigning Lexmark Indy 300 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay and Champ Car World Series co-owner Kevin Kalkhoven made a fly-in visit, V8 Supercar stars Marcos Ambrose and Mark Skaife displayed their talents in a VB Challenge V8 time trial, and Premier Beattie announced to an audience of more than 150 sponsors, media, and international and national motor racing officials that another record crowd in excess of 300,000 was within reach for the October 21 to 24 Event.
Mr Beattie said the 14th year of the Lexmark Indy 300 would be headlined by the resurging Champ Car World Series along with the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge.
“The Champ Cars and V8 Supercars are the foundation of the Lexmark Indy 300, and combine to produce an Event that is acclaimed internationally as one of the best street events in the world,” said Mr Beattie.
“Last year the four day attendance broke the 300,000 people mark, and we are currently on track to reach the 300,000 mark once again.
“The Lexmark Indy 300 generates a total economic and tourism value of $50.43 million for Queensland. It brings people to Queensland, it creates jobs, it exposes the Gold Coast to a massive international television audience, and it opens up many business and commercial doors.”
Mr Mackenroth declared the Lexmark Indy 300’s home of the Gold Coast as the capital of Australian motorsport.
“One of the world’s great motorsport events, the Lexmark Indy 300, is staged here and continues to grow every year,” said Mr Mackenroth.
“Close to half of all the V8 Supercar drivers are based on the Gold Coast, as is the governing body AVESCO, not to mention other motor racing categories, training facilities, sponsors and leading promoters.
“So many elements of the Lexmark Indy 300 are home grown which makes this event so special.”
Lexmark Indy 300 Chairman John Cowley said the Event continues to develop each year as a carnival of entertainment for the whole family.
“There is so much colour and entertainment both on and off the track to satisfy anyone, and we continue to add more colour and entertainment each year,” said Mr Cowley.
“This year we have introduced Friday Night Racing featuring the Porsche Carrera Cup and a new dry Family Area at Intel Turn at the southern end of the circuit. There will be many new Off Track Events including a Sea FM Family Day here at Dreamworld to accompany many of the annual favourites such as the Bartercard Miss Indy competition and the Gala Ball at Conrad Jupiters.
“Another popular component will once again by the Sea FM Air Show with a tremendous contribution provided by the Australian Army, Navy and Air Force over the four days, including an F1-11 dump and burn on the Saturday and Sunday.”
Lexmark Managing Director Henrik Stensfeldt said the Lexmark Indy 300 has already created new business opportunities and higher brand awareness for Lexmark in Queensland and across the country.
“It is very fantastic to know hundreds of thousands of people at the track, and millions more around the world, are associating Lexmark with the colour, speed and advanced technology for which the Event and our company are well known,” Mr Stensfeldt said.
“It is also very rewarding to know we can contribute to the backbone administration of the Event as the race’s exclusive printing infrastructure partner. More than 50,000 images and information will be printed by officials, teams and fans during the four days of the Event and all of it will be supported by Lexmark printing technology solutions.”
After traveling thousands of kilometres to make it for the launch, Aussie-born Kevin Kalkhoven displayed great enthusiasm and commitment for the Event he regards as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the Champ Car World Series.
“You only have to look at the crowd figures, the television audience, the great support categories, the off track entertainment, the media coverage and the professionalism of the organisers – the Lexmark Indy 300 is Champs Car’s ‘crown jewel’ and one of the finest motorsport events in the world.
“The Champ Cars have been coming here for 14 years and will do so for many years to come.
“The Champ Car World Series is in a period of growth and has enjoyed a very successful 2004 season, capitalising on the many changes undergone since the beginning of the year. And you can rest assured that we have a few more developments up our sleeve which will see the series grow much further.”
AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane said the growth of V8 Supercars had made it the most successful touring car category in the world but there was still room to take the sport to even greater heights.
“Next year we will be racing in Shanghai for the first time and we are currently considering proposals from a number of other international venues.
“Our billing at the Lexmark Indy 300 fits with the fact that our television audience in North America is peaking above their own motorsports. This is not unique to North America with similar audience patterns evident throughout Asia.
“We know we have the perfect mix of action, colour and fantastic racing. That is why just as many people attend the Lexmark Indy 300 and the Australian Grand Prix to watch V8 Supercars as they do Champs Cars and Formula One.
“The Event is a great mix of racing for spectators and this year our teams will have their own pit facilities which will make for even more action from a spectator’s perspective.”
The Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast will be held from October 21 to 24. Tickets for the Lexmark Indy 300 are now on sale through Ticketek on phone 1300 303 103, via www.ticketek.com.au or at any Ticketek agency.
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