Two of Australia’s leading entertainers Jessica Mauboy and Vanessa Amorosi headline the entertainment for the Castrol Townsville 500 from July 4-6.

It will be the only Australian performance for the US-based Amorosi at a refurbished Reid Park race precinct.

Among additions to the north Queensland street race this year is the acquisition of a massive marquee called the Super Top which can accommodate 8000 people.

The temporary street course facility will also see improved grandstands and corporate suites and twilight racing on Saturday.

“Jessica Mauboy has been Australia’s leading female artist for several years and Vanessa Amorosi is among the most acclaimed female artists in this country’s music history,” V8 Supercars chief executive James Warburton said.

“To have these amazing ladies perform on the same stage for the first time under this magnificent canvas will be simply stunning.”

Mauboy has just performed to an audience of 180 million people in Denmark as Australia’s first representative at the massive Eurovision Song Contest.

“It’s the first time I have performed at a V8 Supercars event and I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Mauboy said.

“Performing under a massive tent is always great, it provides a great atmosphere and the crowd really enjoys it.”
Queensland’s tourism and major events minister Jann Stuckey said that both Mauboy and Amorosi will prove huge drawcards for the event.

“Jessica Mauboy and Vanessa Amorosi will be major drawcards for locals and visitors to one of our state’s most exciting motorsports events,” Stuckey said.

“The Castrol Townsville 500 is the first installment of a three-part V8 Supercars series for Queensland including the Gold Coast 600 and Ipswich 400.

“Major events like these form part of the Queensland Government’s 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success.

“Supporting these activities will boost repeat visitation to regional destinations, helping to meet our target of double overnight expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

Tickets for the July 4-6 event are on sale now, including a new platinum grandstand, a new elevated general admission area on the main straight opposite the pit garages, the Super Top shaded area and improved traffic flow around the site.

Kids 14 and under receive free general admission with a paying adult (one child per ticket).

A key element is a new drop-off zone at Brodie Street where buses and taxis can set down passengers at a new entry gate, allowing convenient and easy access to the event.

Merchandise Alley has been relocated to the western end of the circuit while support categories will be on show inside the circuit as an additional feature for the fans.

Fans will get brand new grandstands with fold-down stadium seating at key viewing points around the track.

Corporate hospitality has also been improved, with premium hospitality including seating at the front of the trackside suites.

Other enhancements include a new grass spectator mound at turn 13 – a prime vantage point of the final turn and the main straight, which replaces the grandstand.