Sport and Recreation Minister Terry Waldron today announced that tickets were on sale for the highly anticipated return of the Perth round of one of the world's most popular motorsport events, the V8 Supercars Championship.
"The State Government is pleased to see the return of the V8 Supercars Championship, now known as the Trading Post Perth Challenge, to WA for the next five years," Mr Waldron said.
"We have committed more than $15million towards the event and upgrading of Barbagallo Raceway to ensure the venue is suitable to host the event from April 29 to May 1 this year and beyond.
"The State Government, through Tourism WA and the Department of Sport and Recreation, has worked with V8 Supercars Australia and the WA Sporting Car Club to ensure this successful outcome."
In 2011, the Trading Post Perth Challenge will feature five national support categories. This makes it one of the strongest event programs on the V8 Supercars season calendar and the most events ever featured at the Perth round. These categories include:
- Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series: The 2011 Fujitsu Series will consist of a seven-round series and feature big name drivers. It will make its first-ever trip west to Barbagallo Raceway this year
- Australian Superbike Championships: Capable of top speeds of more than 320km/h, the bikes are modified beyond stock showroom specifications, transforming into true racing machines. Big names in action will include Wayne Maxwell, Jamie Stauffer, Troy Herfoss and Glenn Allerton. A host of motorcycle manufacturers will take to the track, including Suzuki, Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki, BMW, Ducati and Aprilia
- Porsche Carrera Cup Australia: Porsche Carrera Cup Australia returns to race tracks around Australia in 2011 after a two-year absence. Carrera Cup is the fastest, one-make sports car series in the world with drivers racing identical, 450 horsepower, purpose-built 911 race cars
- Yokohama V8 Ute Racing Series: The V8 Utes are sure to entertain with 32 cars (16 Fords and 16 Holdens) and a star-studded line-up including three local drivers, the McNally brothers (Rhys and Jake), reigning champion Grant Johnson and V8 Supercar driver Cameron McConville
- Touring Car Masters presented by Autobarn: The masters showcase a selection of immaculate touring cars of the pre-1977 era, and boasts some of the sport's most famous 'muscle' cars. The series features legends such as seven-time Bathurst winner and four-time Australian Touring Car Champion, Jim Richards; two-time Bathurst winner and former Australian Touring Car Champion, John Bowe; and four-time Australian Truck Racing Champion, Bob Middleton.
Tourism Minister Kim Hames said more than 70,000 local, interstate and international visitors were expected to attend the Trading Post Perth Challenge.
"Tourism WA, through Eventscorp, will be working closely with V8 Supercars to help promote the event locally, nationally and internationally. The Seven Network will also be broadcasting the event to millions around the nation and overseas," Dr Hames said.
"The increased event marketing and the unprecedented number of support categories will ensure the 2011 Trading Post Perth Challenge will be bigger and better than ever before."
Tickets for the Trading Post Perth Challenge are on sale through Ticketek http://www.ticketek.com.au and the Pitstop Bookshop http://www.pitstop.net.au
Sport and Recreation Minister's office - 9213 7200
Tourism Minister's office - 9222 8788
