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Huge trucks take over the Darwin CBD as the Supercars Transporter Convoy hits the town

The sound of honking horns filled the air in the Darwin CBD on Wednesday night as huge trucks took over the city streets for the annual Darwin Supercars Transporter Convoy.

A convoy of trucks arrives in Darwin's CBD to announce the arrival of the Supercars for the round at Hidden Valley Raceway. Picture: Che Chorley
A convoy of trucks arrives in Darwin's CBD to announce the arrival of the Supercars for the round at Hidden Valley Raceway. Picture: Che Chorley

THE sound of honking horns filled the air in the Darwin CBD on Wednesday night as huge trucks took over the city streets for the annual Darwin Supercars Transporter Convoy.

Hundreds of revheads packed the streets from early in the evening to watch the procession of high-powered transporter vehicles snake through the CBD about 7pm, raising anticipation for the Merlin Darwin Triple Crown Supercars event coming up this weekend.

The vehicles briefly stopped along the away to let fans fully appreciate the spectacle, before travelling back to the Hidden Valley Raceway where drivers and crew members will start preparing for the main event.

Alicia Wilson, Mikaila Sullivan, Yianni Pastrikos, 5, Chloe Pauling, Josh Benson and Lilly Wilson, 6. Picture: Che Chorley
Alicia Wilson, Mikaila Sullivan, Yianni Pastrikos, 5, Chloe Pauling, Josh Benson and Lilly Wilson, 6. Picture: Che Chorley

Supercars enthusiast Chloe Pauling, who grew up in the Northern Territory but now lives in Queensland, said she was visiting just for the race weekend.

“I used to live here and I’ve come back up for the Supercars,” she said.

“I pretty much grew up around it.

“I’ve been every year, I’ve never missed one, and I’ve brought my partner up to give him the experience this time because he’s never been.

“My family live here, too, so that’s a bonus.”

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Marika Billsborrow and Connor Billsborrow, 3. Picture: Che Chorley
Marika Billsborrow and Connor Billsborrow, 3. Picture: Che Chorley

Young racing car fan Connor Billsborrow, 3, could hardly contain his excitement as he waited for the trucks to arrive.

“He loves the noise, the smoke, the burnouts – all that stuff that little boys like, “ said his mother, Marika Billsborrow.

“I don’t have a love for it, but I do enjoy it. The town comes alive.”

(Back) Christy Wu,, Riley Wang, Jesse Milne, Ethan Du and Ivy Fan; (front) Yoyo Lee, 8, Fynn Milne, 1 and Jasper Du, 2. Picture: Che Chorley
(Back) Christy Wu,, Riley Wang, Jesse Milne, Ethan Du and Ivy Fan; (front) Yoyo Lee, 8, Fynn Milne, 1 and Jasper Du, 2. Picture: Che Chorley

Darwin local and keen Ford supporter Jesse Milne said he headed to the Hidden Valley Raceway to watch the Supercars every year, but weekend work commitments meant this time the convoy was as close as he would get.

“I love the competition between Ford and Holden. It’s a good battle and it’s been going for many years,” he said.

“I’ll be supporting Ford, obviously – the right team.”

NT Major Events chief executive Tim Watsford said it was exciting to kick off the weekend’s Supercars action with the always-popular procession.

“We are thrilled to welcome back the Night Transporter Convoy in its usual format this year,” he said.

“It’s the perfect way to kickstart the Supercars, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the beginning of the 2021 Merlin Darwin Triple Crown.”

The Merlin Darwin Triple Crown is on at the Hidden Valley Raceway on Saturday and Sunday.

For more information or to get tickets, go to supercars.com/darwin-triple-crown/.

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Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/motor-sport/huge-trucks-take-over-the-cbd-as-the-darwin-supercars-transporter-convoy-hits-the-town/news-story/7e66232e97ae1a74df3cc3c49991e57a