https://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/sport/local-sport/townsville-racing-hopeful-awaits-supercars-verdict-for-hometown-event/news-story/199ca6593dd5b5a2f0c78c1f78b8cf39 WITH or without crowds Madison Dunston would relish the chance to compete in the Townsville 400 again. However should it be the latter, the hometown hopeful admits it would be a very different experience. Speculation over whether the Supercars event will take place this year will come to an end on Friday when a decision is made on its 2020 future. Should it go ahead it is likely to be a TV-only event, with the State Government’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines not expected to be relaxed enough by the showcase’s June 26 intended start date. Dunston said despite the sport going into hibernation throughout the pandemic her sponsors were still on-board to support her pursuits when racing resumed. While the rising SuperUtes star would jump at the chance to compete on her home track again, she admitted it may lack the same intensity without spectators. “It makes a difference (racing in Townsville), rather than racing in Sydney. I’ve got my mum, dad, grandma, sibling and friends all there supporting me and it makes a difference to how I race — knowing they’re watching is pretty cool,” Dunston said.
“It would be a bit different, not just being on the track but being there waiting it would be weird. “Especially while being on the track and driving you can see how many people are watching and it gives you more adrenaline. “It seems like it’s something that would be affected going to the round, but I say racing is racing and we have to see what happens.” In the past the Townsville 400 has been an economic goldmine for the region, and in August last year it was secured for a further five-years. However should crowds not be permitted to witness it a loss to the typical tourism dollar would follow. Townsville Enterprise Tourism & Events Director Lisa Woolfe said the event injected $36 million into the region’s economy last year. She said the spectacle had cemented itself as a key component on Townsville’s calendar, and they would work with the relevant bodies to bring it back when possible. “Like many major event organisers across the country, Supercars are working closely with governments around what the road-map to recovery looks like for the events sector,” Woolfe said. “For over a decade now we have welcomed the cars and crowds to our region for this event, but we are in uncharted water and must remain adaptable in the COVID environment. “The tourism and events sector is still under a cloud of uncertainty until this health situation eases. “If there were to be any changes to the event format we would work through those with Supercars, Townsville City Council, and Tourism and Events Queensland to ensure this event can continue to safely provide our community world-class entertainment whilst promoting our stunning destination.” Dunston has continued to train diligently to ensure that, if the event goes ahead, she would be ready. She has gone as far as putting her helmet on when getting in the simulator, willing to “look like a bit of an idiot” to get the full experience. As eager as she was to get on the course, she said the Darwin round in July appeared her more likely return. “As soon as I have an opportunity I’m going to take it. We were planning on doing a full season but due to COVID we’ll more focus on next year for a full season,” Dunston said. “Because we do have our aussie car ready for Darwin, we don’t really have a car ready for Townsville. We would need around the two weeks to figure out if I could do Townsville.”
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AuthorI covered a vast range of sports and issues in my time with the Bulletin. Archives
June 2020
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