V8 Supercars race at The Bend to feature community grid walk ambassadors collecting for charity
It’s the start of a new era – not grid girls but “grid ambassadors” who will roam the crowd at The Bend Motorsport Park to collect for charity during the race.
Grid girls have taken a new turn at this week’s Supercars OTR SuperSprint at Tailem Bend – being replaced by punters raising money for charity.
The so-called community grid walk ambassadors will work the garages and paddocks to collect for 24 charities.
OTR spokeswoman Joann Skene said the initiative was the start of a new era.
“We wanted to create a new tradition that would bring together the community,’’ she said.
Grid girls were axed from the Clipsal 500 in 2016 and were never introduced when The Bend Motorsport Park opened last year.
The ambassadors, who won a competition to get the gig, will mingle with punters and meet their racing heroes while helping charities raise their profiles.
One of 24 lucky winners, Brianna Martin, will represent the children’s charity CanTeen at tomorrow’s and Sunday’s races. “I love CanTeen and I love their efforts to try and help the sick kids have as much of a normal life as they can,’’ she said.
More than 1000 revellers packed the closed main street of Tailem Bend on Friday, turning the usually quiet township into a party town.
They were lured by their Supercar heroes, including Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup, signing posters and forearms.
“Great to be back at The Bend – this is one of the best tracks we go to and one of the best in the world, to be honest,’’ Whincup said.
“The guys who built this circuit have been all over the world, and pieced together some of the best corners from all over the world and made a unique circuit right here in Tailem Bend.’’
Other attractions included classic car displays, kids’ activities, live music and stalls selling local produce.
Food and drinks were in plentiful supply for the hordes of mainly blow-ins.
Dr Sam Shahin had a vision for an annual street party when he began planning his $160 million The Bend Motorsport Park seven years ago.
The RSL also led the charge in bringing the street party to the town.
Spokeswoman Glenys Taylor said the organisation worked hard to lure people away from the highway and into the township.
“We have worked on this for 11 weeks and we are very fortunate to have Sam and The Bend on our doorstep,’’ she said.
