TOWNSVILLE FUN FACTS THE least fun fact of all time: Crocodiles have been reported in Ross Creek, i.e. the creek that the race track crosses twice. Ross Creek is a part of the Ross River system, which infamously lends its name to Ross River Fever, a non-lethal but debilitating tropical disease brought on by mosquito bites. Joy. FORMAT tale: Last year, in the battle to keep the Supercars circus on the road, Townsville played host to consecutive events, which each hosted three sprint races apiece. Those two event weekends were the first time that Townsville had played host to three races since 2014 when a pair of 125km races were topped off with a Sunday 250km race. This year’s format sees a 250km race on both Saturday and Sunday, with each having a dedicated qualifying session and top-ten shootout. During the races will be two compulsory stops, and each car must take on board at least 120L of fuel. TWICE in the history of the event have races been cut short due to time certainty. The first was race two of 2010, when one lap was lost, the second in race two of 2019, when six laps were lost due to rain. BACK to a 500: 2021 will represent the second time since 2009 that the event is run to a total distance of 500km. An event distance of 400km is the norm, although last year’s twin events featured 333km of racing split between three races each. A TOTAL of 15 drivers have made one career event start in Townville, with the list including internationals such as Jacques Villeneuve, Robert Dahlgren, Richie Stanaway and Maro Engel. The lone start locals have included Ash Walsh, Andrew Thompson, Taz Douglas, Alex Rullo, Tony Ricciardello, Mark McNally, Warren Luff and Kurt Kostecki, while Bryce Fullwood, Jake Kostecki and Jack Smith are looking to move off the mark this weekend. FIVE times in the history of the event has every car made it to the finish of a race in Townsville, and they have all come since the last race of the 2019 event. TYPICALLY the Supercars visit to Townsville coincides with school holidays, in part because the race loops past Townsville State High School, which is located at the final turn. The school grounds are also typically used as a car park on race weekends. Hands up if your education would have been improved if your school was a race track?
IN Paul Dumbrell’s six race starts in Townsville, he made a habit of being a hard charger. Despite an average starting position of 18.7, he ended his career with an average finishing position of 9.2, seventh on the all-time list. In every single race contested, he improved upon his starting position, especially so in his final race, where he climbed from 28th (and last) at the start to be placed ninth at the chequered flag. OF THE 2021 drivers only Macauley Jones and Garry Jacobson have never led a lap in Townsville. Last year’s six races saw Nick Percat, Scott Pye, Jack Le Brocq and Todd Hazelwood lead a race at the venue for the first time. WHEN is a street circuit not really a street circuit? In Townsville, about 70% of the track is permanent, even with some permanent concrete walls installed. The pit building is also a permanent fixture, with its various areas able to be rented (outside of race weekends) from the City of Townsville Council.
TOWNSVILLE INSIDER TRADING Best Local Feed: You typically can’t go too far wrong with a trip up to The Strand – options galore, but we would typically settle on the Seaview Hotel or similar, it’s all good! Best Local Beer: You cannot go past the Townsville Brewery, which is located within the clock tower building just over the Ross Creek bridge on the corner of Flinders and Denham. A short stagger from the track, but worth it. Best Local Things to do After Racing: There are two main things to do in the area, because: Townsville. 1) Scale Castle Hill – car is easier, using your legs is more energetic. 2) Visit Magnetic Island – use a boat, swimming 8km can be a strain. Best Traffic Tip: As typical with street events, free street parking is a hike away, or you can park nearby and get severely price gouged. Consider taking one of the free Sunbus options, especially if you plan on sinking a tin or two.
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