Red Bull Ampol Racing 2024 team launch at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport draws massive crowd to support Will Brown
In a move that has stunned Supercar organisers, up to 9000 motorsport fans filled the tarmac at Wellcamp Airport for the launch of Red Bull Racing’s 2024 campaign. See all the photos and videos here:
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Supercar organisers have been left stunned by Toowoomba’s appetite for top-tier motorsport, after as many as 9000 motorsport fans crammed into Wellcamp Airport to launch Red Bull Ampol Racing’s 2024 campaign on Saturday afternoon.
Hometown hero and new Red Bull driver Will Brown was treated to a rock star welcome alongside fellow young gun Broc Feeney at the launch as Red Bull used its “livery landing” to host a massive free event at the airport.
Along with showing off the new design of the Red Bull Chevrolet Camaro that both Brown and Feeney will be driving, fans were treated to an aerobatic display by stunt pilot Matt Hall as well as driver signings and other activations.
The response has showcased the potential draw of Supercars and given a new spotlight to airport owner Wagner Corporation’s plans for a massive motorsport and entertainment precinct just down the road.
Toowoomba Red Bull Ampol racing fan Chris Rogers, who took his son Logan out to see the new livery and drivers, said the event highlighted the Garden City’s love of motorsport.
“It was a huge turnout — there’s a massive fanbase and having Will Brown as a local boy in one of the teams definitely helped,” he said.
“I definitely hope (it impresses Supercar organisers), for the crowd to turn out for just one team is incredible.
“It’s a good showing, and to have it on our doorstep (with the proposed precinct) would be amazing.”
Wagner Corporation John Wagner said the huge response had not only excited motorsport organisers but also given his campaign to build a $170m motorsport precinct new life.
Currently included in the SEQ City Deal with just state funding, the project needs $40m from the federal government to start construction.
“There’s definitely an appetite for it — (organisers) were very excited about what they saw and the support it got,” Mr Wagner said.
“If this facility got up, it would mean hundreds of thousands of people come into the Garden City (regularly).
“It’s widely known that the region up here has a huge amount of motorsport supporters.”
Mr Wagner said he wanted to see the city’s state and federal politicians support the precinct.
“I’d like to pursue but we need to get the funding off the federal government,” he said.
“I’d love to get (state MPs) Trevor Watts’ and David Janetzki’s positions on it if they win government and we need (federal MP) Garth Hamilton to start supporting it otherwise it will be hard to get it over the line.”
Mr Hamilton declined to comment when approached, while both Mr Watts and Janetzki were contacted.
Wellcamp airport general manager Kellie Banditt said the large turnout was made even more impressive by the fact the event hadn’t enjoyed a long runtime for promotion.
“It was just before Christmas that we agreed we’d love to engage with Triple Eight on this,” she said.
“The people of Toowoomba love the feel-good stories and Will is a local boy.
“It was just a proving point that the people will come (for motorsport) and we would love to be the drivers behind it — yesterday was the pinnacle of it to show you’ll have the following (if you build a track here).”
The Repco Supercars Championship organisers were contacted for comment.
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