Big weekend kicks off super month

Date: Friday, 3rd July 2009

A high octane month kicks off in Townsville tomorrow with the third annual National Superboat race in the waters of Cleveland Bay.

The country’s finest superboat race teams and their million-dollar crafts will be a major drawcard for local residents and visitors attending the Dunlop Townsville 400 next week.

Offshore Superboat Race Series organisers and the Townsville City Council have worked together to stage the event close to the Townsville 400 to provide racing fans with a double dose of supercharged racing.

And those with a taste for a different type of horse power have the choice of the popular winter carnival at Cluden Park with Ladies Day, while football fans have the Cowboys v Sharks clash at Dairy Farmers Stadium tomorrow night.

Mayor Cr Les Tyrell said the weekend’s events signalled the start of a huge month for the city.

“The Superboats, racing at Cluden, the NRL footy and next week’s huge Townsville 400 event will be a bonanza for the city,” Cr Tyrell said.

“No sooner will the V8s roar out of town, then some of the best musicians in the world will entertain lovers of classical music during the Australian Festival of Chamber Music from July 31 to August 8.

“A lot of planning has gone into putting on the best month of events anywhere in regional Australia and when you throw in our fantastic weather we’re expecting a huge influx of visitors.

“The economic spin-off for the city and the national and international coverage of events here will be worth many millions of dollars.”

Superboats program of events includes a public viewing of the boats and pit crews on Saturday (4 July), test racing on Saturday afternoon, and racing in a number of classes from midday Sunday (5 July).

Spectators can watch the impressive machines race past with excellent views; the best vantage points being Picnic Bay Headlands at The Strand.