Racing enthusiasts from all over Australia converge on Darwin for Supercars action
‘The crowd is amazing. I think it’s the biggest crowd we’ve ever had in attendance and Darwin has put on a show!’ ARE YOU IN OUR MEGA PICTURE GALLERY?
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There was no shortage of motorsports merchandise on the spectator hills inside the Hidden Valley arena over the weekend.
Soaking up the pleasant dry season sun, keen revheads closely followed each car take to the track and disappear around each bend.
Darwin local Ben Audet is a self-proclaimed MotoGP enthusiast and a mechanic by trade.
“This is right up my alley,” Mr Audet said.
“The superbikes is an even huger reason to come this weekend.”
A Saturday spent watching hotted up cars and bikes race and complete laps is the “best kind of day off really”, he says.
“It’s the atmosphere that I enjoy, everyone is here for the same reason — to have a good time,” Mr Audet said.
“The crowd is amazing. I think it’s the biggest crowd we’ve ever had in attendance and Darwin has put on a show.
“Now we’re out of Covid everything is starting to open up, there’s a lot of interstate travellers here who can now actually come up here and enjoy the Supercars.”
The roar of the impressive engines could be heard all the way from Darwin and the pungent smell of burning rubber could be smelt from the moment punters stepped through the gates.
Thousands of organised and prepared motorsports fans lined the boundary of the tracks with camp chairs, umbrellas, snacks and water to get them through a long day of watching fast cars.
Parading his proud Ford flag around the grounds was Palmerston local Jackson Chandler. “I come every year, I’ve come here since 99, over the years I’ve probably only missed one,” Mr Chandler said. “For me, it’s the smell of burning rubber and the noise of the engines and the atmosphere – it’s a nice time for people to come up here.”
The keen revhead owns and drives an AU Ford Falcon XR6. “Everyone thinks they’re ugly but I love them, especially the XR6 because of the quad headlights, it’s just an awesome looking car,” he said.
SATURDAY: Fans have flocked to Hidden Valley for the Darwin Supercars.
Kicking off at 7.25am fans could take part in a pit lane walk before the combined sedans took to the track at 8.10.
The S5000 qualifying race started at 8.30am, with the two qualifying races for the Australian Superbike Championship running at 9.10 and 9.35.
There was no shortage in motorsports merchandise on the spectator hills inside the Hidden Valley arena on Saturday.
Soaking up the pleasant dry season sun, keen revheads closely followed each car take the tracks and disappear around each bend.
The roar of the impressive engines could be heard all the way from Darwin and the pungent smell of burning rubber could be smelt from the moment punters stepped through the gates.
Racing enthusiasts from all over Australia converge on Darwin for Supercars action
REVHEADS from the NT and beyond raced down to the Darwin Waterfront to grab the chance of getting up close and personal with their favourite Supercars drivers.
The best from the realm of the Supercars and Superbikes were greeted by a traditional Saltwater ceremony before the signing got underway.
Afterwards fans who had made their way from across Darwin, and even some a little further off track got their chance to nab a signature.
Among them was Darwin locals Aaron Southern and his six-year-old daughter Summer Southern came decked out in their Red Bull gear in support of their favourite racer Shane van Gisbergen.
“We’re big fans of Gizzy and have been for years, we’ve been coming for many years,” Mr Southern said.
“This is her third year. She loves it getting to run around and meet all the drivers. We met him at Supercheap Auto and came here to get the chance to meet some of the other boys.
“I’ve been to a few Darwin rounds, the atmosphere is special. You can see the track no matter where you are and the people up here are properly friendly.”
The Supercars action gets underway on Friday with two sets of Practise sessions.
Supercars truck convoy roars through Darwin
THOUSANDS of fans of all things motor racing crowded the Darwin CBD to catch the Supercars transporter convoy motor through town on Thursday night.
Horns honking, lights blaring and crowds cheering was the flavour of the night as the trucks swept through the city centre announcing the arrival of the Darwin Supercars.
The monstrous vehicles pulled to a stop alongside the mall to accept the official Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony in honour of the inaugural Supercars Indigenous round.
Revheads from across the Territory and interstate converged under the lights to celebrate and cheer on their heroes, including local boy Bryce Fullwood and adopted Territorian Dave Reynolds.
Despite being a Darwin local, for Linda Hyland it was her first time out watching the trucks roll on into the centre. But a visit from her granddaughter Israel Miran and family was enough to get her enthusiastic about the occasion.
“I’ve never been to see the trucks before, but family coming up gave me a big reason to come along,” Ms Hyland said.
“I haven’t seen them in years so it’s a good chance to spend some time with them.”
Justin Tranter came along with son Noah Tranter, who was sporting his favourite hotwheels shirt. “I try to get him down each year, it’s something we enjoy,” Mr Tranter said.
Next up on the Supercars agenda is the drivers’ signings from 5.15pm on Thursday at the Darwin Waterfront.
Supercars truck convoy to hit Darwin tonight
A fan favourite of the Darwin Supercars weekend, the truck convoy will hit city streets this evening.
Kicking off at 6.30pm, the trucks will depart from Hidden Valley and head up the Stuart Highway.
They’ll then continue onto Daly St, before turning left onto Mitchell St.
As they come past the Mitchell Centre, they’ll turn left onto Knuckey St.
To celebrate the inaugural Indigenous round of the Supercars, a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony will be held near the rainbow crossing at the corner of Knuckey and Smith streets.
The trucks will then continue down Knuckey until they again turn left, this time onto McMinn St.
Leaving the city, the trucks will turn right onto Garramilla Blvd, continuing onto Tiger Brennan Dr and finishing back at Hidden Valley.
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