The popular Transporter Parade Convoy featuring 25 flashy trucks kick-started celebrations for the NTI Townsville 500, and this year for the first time along a new route.
On Wednesday, July 5, transporters carrying more than $25 million worth of Supercars equipment made their way through the streets of Townsville and fans supported it in their tens of thousands.
A police escort of several cars and motorbikes with flashing lights led the convoy which started at 12.45pm.
Before that Big Rigs went down to the marshalling area along Webb Drive and checked out some of the trucks and spoke to drivers.
I did notice many of the trucks were getting their rigs cleaned at a car wash.
Scott Taylor, owner of Scott Taylor Motorsport, drives a Kenworth T909 and was polishing it himself when I arrived.
“I recently towed a road train to Darwin for a documentary,” he said.
Wayne Cowper was nearby and drives a MAN TGX26580 for Shell Racing Team.
Melbourne-based Stephen King drives a Scania for Sonic Racing Team and has been to the Townsville event seven times.
“I love coming to Townsville,” he said.
Simon Williamson drives a Kenworth K200 for Wall Racing and enjoys the convoy.
“I have been in several of these convoys and enjoy coming to Townsville,” he said.
Along Webb Drive I saw Tony Power, Lisa Power, Karen Garbutt and three-year-old Matthew Power on the back of a 4WD ready to watch the convoy.
“We got here early but just love the supercars,” Lisa said.
Fans lined the route in their thousands to wave to and cheer as the 25 trucks which carry the V8 Supercars cruised through Townsville streets.
The NTI Transporter Parade traveled along a new route this year three days before the big Townsville 500 event started.
They proceeded along Ingham Road, followed by a left turn onto Percy Street, continuing along Bundock Street.
Popular vantage points along the way included at the corners of Howitt Street, Warburton Street and Eyre Street before the trucks crossed the George Roberts Bridge near the CBD which spans Ross Creek.
At around 1.30pm, the convoy entered Saunders Street, passing the North Queensland Cowboys’ massive stadium and the onto the Reid Park racing circuit precinct.
The trucks carry more than $25 million worth of Supercars equipment to various racing venues around Australia.
There will also be a Fan Zone at the Townsville sign in Central Park near Palmer Street and, on Thursday evening, Townsville City Council hosts SuperFest on Flinders Street East, from 4-6pm.
Practice for the main event takes place on Friday, July 7, with a pair of 88-lap races across the Saturday and Sunday.
There also will be a stacked lineup of entertainment on and off track.
A Camaro will take on Mustang for the first time and global dance music superstars Ministry of Sound will turn it up on Saturday night under the big top.
With exciting support category racing, stunt shows, aerial displays, merchandise alley, drone show, and Super Kids Zone plus much more all combining for one of North Queensland’s major events.
- For more pictures from the event, grab your free copy of the July 21 issue of Big Rigs from the usual outlets.