A BIG 2004 WRAPS UP, AN EVEN BIGGER 2005 AWAITS
11/1/2005 16:28 (Press Release) -
The final temporary structure has been removed from the Surfers Paradise track, marking the visual end of the most successful Lexmark Indy 300 in its 14 year history.
More than 309,500 people streamed through the gates in those four days in October, Network Ten’s live weekend coverage reached over one million viewers in Australia, Queensland Champ Car driver David Besnard did Aussie fans proud with a sensational seventh-placed finish, the V8 Supercars and Champ Cars provided action-packed racing for the fans, while an extensive off track entertainment program captivated visitors from around the world.
But the 2004 story started back in January when the Champ Car World Series was purchased by three team owners in Kevin Kalkhoven, Paul Gentilozzi and Gerald Forsythe who set a new direction and vision for the American-based open wheel racing series.
Then tickets for the Lexmark Indy 300 went on sale in March, launched by V8 Supercar Ford stars Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall.
On August 18, construction of the 4.47km street circuit began with a build and remove schedule spanning only 96 days.
In early September, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and Deputy Premier Terry Mackenroth alongside last year’s Lexmark Indy 300 winner Ryan Hunter-Reay who flew in from the United States and the reigning Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge champion Russell Ingall officially launched the 14th annual Event.
Champ Car World Series owner Kevin Kalkhoven and AVESCO Chairman Tony Cochrane welcomed the news that both the Champ Cars and V8 Supercars would headline the racing program for the second successive year at the Lexmark Indy 300.
Then another major coup for the Event was announced – the news that Gold Coast V8 Supercar driver David Besnard would step into a Champ Car and race one of the Walker Racing Reynards backed by Wright Patton Shakespeare. An Australian driver has always been on the agenda for organisers, and in the form of Besnard, local fans had an Aussie to cheer on.
As the event got into full swing, a record number of spectators flocked through the gates to enjoy a program combining Champ Car racing, V8 Supercar racing, three support categories, the amazing aerobatics of the Sea FM Air Show, Bartercard Miss Indy girls, interactive displays, plenty of merchandise, food and drink, driver and celebrity autograph sessions, and most of all, the electric atmosphere.
The action was enjoyed by a total of 309,583 spectators in beautiful and hot Queensland weather, in one of a variety of viewing options – Grandstand Seats, Corporate Suites or the flexibility of General Admission.
The crowds grew each day as the Event built to a climax. Thursday was attended by 53,578, Friday by 62,943, Saturday by 85,741, and then Sunday by a massive 107,321.
The corporate suites continued to grow in popularity, as the Lexmark Indy 300 confirmed its status as the largest corporate hospitality event in Queensland each year. More than 6,000 corporates attended each day over the four days in one of the more than 140 corporate suites around the circuit.
Those fans that could not attend watched the coverage on Network Ten, ‘the home of motorsport in Australia’, with a viewing audience of 1,003,503 on Saturday and Sunday. The Lexmark Indy 300 was actually the highest rating sport’s program on Australian television for that week. Internationally, the telecast reached 106 countries with a potential audience of 450 million people.
And in further great news, ‘Aussie’ Besnard put in a remarkable performance to place seventh out of 19 in the Champ Car race. The 2004 Lexmark Indy 300 was won by Brazilian Bruno Junqueira who became the 14th different winner in 14 years.
The Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge was taken out by Bathurst winner and Holden ace Greg Murphy in a countback from V8 series champion Marcos Ambrose from Ford.
While the key ingredients of the Lexmark Indy 300 remained, some new initiatives were hailed successes by organisers.
The Friday Night Racing featuring the Carrera Cup proved to be a great spectacle and exciting race. The Family Zone at Acer Intel Turn at the southern end of the circuit was well attended by families and children. The Fit2Drive program on Student’s Day Thursday provided an educational alternative for the thousands of students and teachers in attendance.
One of the great assets for fans at the Lexmark Indy 300 was the ability to get up-close-and-personal with the teams and drivers at autograph sessions and also Champ Car and V8 Supercar pit walks. Over the four days, more than 2,200 people strode down Duracell Pit Lane watching the crews prepare their racing vehicles for action.
Caterers also had a big week at the Lexmark Indy 300 with spectators consuming 28,000 ice creams, 6,000 meat pies, 10,600 hamburgers, 12,750 hot dogs and 42,000 serves of hot chips.
What also makes the Lexmark Indy 300 so special is the more than 50 Off Track Events that combine to make Indy a carnival encompassing the whole region. In 2004 these events included a multitude of Bartercard Miss Indy judgings and events; high-powered and prestige car shows; dancing; horse racing; family days; polo; rallying; Shooter’s nightclub parties; entertainment at Mano’s Restaurant; automotive innovations; corporate functions; bands at Troccadero; the Surfers Paradise Carnivale of Colours; golf days; the Chris Isaak concert at the Gold Coast Convention & Exhibition Centre; cocktail parties and luncheons; an etchells regatta and the Lexmark Indy 300 Gala Ball held at Conrad Jupiters.
Sponsors continued to be thrilled with their association with Queensland’s premier Event. Lexmark led the way in its second year as Naming Rights sponsor, while the other major sponsors and supporters included the Queensland Government, Acer supported by Intel, Carlton and United Beverages, Caltex, Conrad Jupiters, Gillette, Falken, Bartercard, Coca Cola, and Holden.
A great benefit for organisers, teams and media this year was the wireless network available. A Local Area Network behind Duracell Pit Lane was ‘unwired’ thanks to Acer, Australia’s third largest PC vendor and fastest growing PC brand, with the support of Intel. Acer and Intel’s partnership enabled media, teams and organisers with wireless-enabled notebooks and mobile devices to access the Internet, check emails and download files at high speed.
More than 1500 people volunteered their services to deliver the event in roles such as track marshals, media assistants, accreditation staff, corporate hosts, gate officials, fire marshals, grandstand officials, flag marshals, information booth attendants, grid marshals and much more. In fact 31 of these 1500 have been volunteers every year since the event started in 1991.
Lexmark Indy 300 General Manager James O’Brien said the Event has cemented its position as one of Australia’s premier annual Events.
“Each year our team works tirelessly to streamline all facets of the Event to create a magnificent show for fans and the television audience world-wide, and each year the Event has got bigger and better,” said O’Brien.
“Plans are underway for 2005, as we strive to grow even further. A number of innovative ideas have already been brainstormed to keep the Event fresh and unique, and there are always areas we can improve on.”
Lexmark Managing Director Henrik Stensfeldt said his organisation was proud to sponsor Queensland’s premier Event.
“The Lexmark Indy 300 has established itself as one of Australia's most colourful sporting events,” said Stensfeldt.
“This year Lexmark staff, customers and friends were delighted to attend the Gold Coast and had a fantastic weekend. We look forward to continuing our strong relationship with the event next
year - both as the principal sponsor and a dedicated technology partner.”
The 2005 Lexmark Indy 300 will be held on the streets of Surfers Paradise from October 20 to 23. It will be highlighted by Round 13 of the Champ Car World Series and Round 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Seres.
Release Date: 06/12/2004
Lexmark Indy 300
|
|
