V8 Supercars Road Trip declared a huge success
2/10/2004 22:08 (Press Release) -
The Castrol Formula R V8 Supercars Road Trip completed its hugely successful road show in Townsville last Saturday with close to 30,000 people attending over the five days.
The Road Trip visited Bundaberg, Gladstone, Rockhampton, Mackay and Townsville in a joint initiative by AVESCO and Castrol that has received an overwhelming response from the North Queensland community.
The V8 Supercars Road Trip rounded up its five stop tour at Townsville in what has been declared a huge success by organisers and the AVESCO (Australian Vee Eight Supercar Company) Board as V8 Supercars made an instant impact in the far north.
“We were aware that we had a solid fan base in North Queensland that enthusiastically followed our sport on television,” AVESCO Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said.
“As such the Road Trip was an attempt to bring the sport to them to enable them to meet the drivers and experience some of the excitement of V8 Supercars.
“It is fair to say we were overwhelmed by the reception that the Road Trip received. Clearly there is a strong interest from our fans in North Queensland to have access to their own race and we will be looking at every opportunity to make this possible for them in the future.”
The Castrol Formula R V8 Supercars Road Trip raised more than $10,000 for Queensland’s Royal Flying Doctor Service through its Charity Auctions that were held in each town.
V8 Supercar fans were able to grab a piece of motorsport history as signed bonnets, front guards, and wheel rims went under the hammer with all proceeds going to the RFDS, a charitable organisation that provides an invaluable service to rural and remote Australia.
"We are delighted with the community response to the V8 Supercar roadshow and overwhelmed at the funds raised by the motorsport drivers, who generously gave their time to run the charity auctions," RFDS Public Relations and Media Officer Belinda van den Berg said.
"On behalf of the people of Queensland which the RFDS serves, we would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the event organisers, AVESCO and Castrol, who have generously offered to match the total funds raised from the event. Thank you also to Bundaberg Karting Club for launching the event and the local communities up through to Townsville whose staunch enthusiasm ensured its success.
"The funds generously donated to the RFDS will go towards the aircraft replacement program and the upgrading of lifesaving aeromedical equipment which is used to save the lives of thousands of Queenslanders each year."
Castrol Perkins Motorsport drivers Steven Richards, Paul Dumbrell, Tony Longhurst, Bathurst legend Larry Perkins and Ford Performance Racing’s Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton took time out of their gruelling pre-Bathurst schedules to meet their North Queensland fans, with some travelling more than an hour to get a glimpse of their favourite V8 Supercar driver.
“The response that we had last week from the community in each town was absolutely overwhelming,” Castrol Perkins’ Steven Richards said.
“By seeing how many people came out in each town gives us an indication of just how popular our sport is becoming all over the country.
“With the demand that we saw last week for V8 Supercars, hopefully road show’s like these can become an annual event as it gives us an opportunity to give something back to the community who support our Championship, whether it be by visiting hospitals along the way or meeting fans who attend the show.”
People visiting the road show were able to tour the BigPond Broadband Media Centre, ride the V8 Supercars simulator, watch the Castrol Donut King Stunt Team in action and pick up some V8 Supercars team merchandise.
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