TENS of thousands of motor racing fans flocked to watch the Supercars in action at the Watpac Townsville 400 this weekend.
It was the 10 year anniversary of the V8’s arrival in Townsville and the performance at Reid Park this year did not disappoint.
Red Bull Racing’s Jamie Whincup reigned supreme on Saturday, coming first in the race and racking up his 10th win out of 20 starts at the Townsville track. Team mate Shane Van Gisbergen came second and Scott McLaughlin came third.
The outcome of race 18 on Sunday was similar.
Shane Van Gisbergen had pole position and won the race, with Whincup placed second and McLaughlin third.
Off the track there was plenty of activities, including two concerts on the Friday and Saturday nights, with the Baby Animals and John Farnham headline acts.
But for Paul Harvey, of Christchurch in New Zealand, the highlight came in the pits when he met his idol and V8 legend Dick Johnson.
Mr Harvey travelled to Australia with wife Leeanne to celebrate his 60th birthday and planned their trip around the Townsville 400.
Also arriving from across the ditch were mates Bella Hibel and Ellie Hall, from New Plymouth on the north island.
The girls said it was their first time watching the Supercars in Townsville and commented on the winter weather.
Charters Towers couple Cheryl and Geoff Hembrow treated themselves to their first experience of the Townsville 400.
“It’s the first time we’ve been but we will come back for sure,” Mrs Hembrow said.
Steve Horton and son Connor, 12, made the trek down from Cairns and said they were enjoying the action.
Airlie Beach dad Darren Hinton brought his son Billy, 8, to the track.
The family are at the tail end of their school holiday camping trip and had visited Greenvale, Georgetown and Mount Surprise before heading down the coast in time for the Supercars.
