Winton has V8's for this year

[Matt H]

thanks racenews

Victorian motorsport fans are the big winners following the decision of V8 Supercars Australia to stage a one-off event in the motorsport mad region surrounding Winton Raceway this June.

The event replaces the previously listed Shanghai Round. V8 Supercars Australia is continuing negotiations with the promoter of the Shanghai Round with a view to an alternate date later in the year.

Winton Raceway will host the event from June 2-4, a week earlier than the initial Shanghai date to avoid a clash with the region’s major food and wine festival.

Winton was chosen to replace Shanghai following strong lobbying by local Governments and an overwhelming response from people in the region for V8 Supercars to make a return.

“The passion for V8 Supercars in this part of Victoria is phenomenal,” V8 Supercars Australia Chief Executive Officer Wayne Cattach said.

“There has been some intense lobbying at all levels which convinced us that Winton was deserved of the opportunity to hold a one-off event such as this.

“To leave a gap of some seven weeks following the cancellation of the June China date made little sense. This one-off event ensures there is not that considerable gap in the calendar.”

The Winton circuit last hosted a V8 Supercar Championship event in 2004, attracting almost 40,000 patrons over the weekend. The track is considered one of the best in the country in terms of action and passing.

Winton Raceway’s Chief Executive Officer Mick Ronke said the opportunity to have Australia’s leading motor sport category back at the circuit was a major breakthrough for the region and country Victoria.

“We are excited about the return of V8 Supercar racing for this one off event and will be working with our local community to ensure the weekend is such a great success that V8 Supercars return each year from this point on,” Mr Ronke said.

Winton Raceway is working with the local Council and State Government to maximise the benefit of this major event throughout the regional economy and is working co-operatively with tourist boards, local business and the community. The Benalla Auto Club is contributing to the ongoing programme of improvements at the Raceway.

“Winton is working with the State Government to implement the recommendations of a Task Force which includes significant assistance ‘if they get an event of major regional importance’ and V8 Supercars are considered an event of major regional importance in Australia,” Mr Ronke said.

Leading driver Cameron McConville scored a maiden win in the Garry Rogers Commodore at the Winton track in 2004 with an amazing swoop to pass Rick Kelly on the penultimate corner of the race.

[Average Punter]

That's great news for us country lads.

Now where's that thread about how many meetings we're going to this year?
I need to change my post.

[Raglanparade]

Lets start a Ten-Tenths Winton Fan Club.

Lets see how many Ten-Tenthers will get behind Winton and attend the race this year.

Remember, by attending the race, V8SA will count you are three spectators

By the way, I'll be there !!

Who else is in ?

[Jason Whittaker]

Well done to the PR hack who wrote the press release. "Victorian motorsport fans are the big winners." Hurrah! All that "lobbying" from local government and motorsport fans has paid off. Congratulations!

What an abject, humiliating failure by administrators. If it is they don't go back to China next year - and surely that's now the likely outcome - what a dismal, embarrassing disappointment. To take such a great step forward in getting up the first event in China, an event that by any measure was a great success, and somehow managing to completely stuff up the return. Any hope of building on the initial gains in Asia is now gone.

They might get it off the ground again in 2007. Maybe. Start all over again. And that hard-fought Winton round for all you deserving Victorian fans? Sorry, you'll have to wait until another gaping hole suddenly appears in the schedule.

Stupid...

[Adam Ronke]

And if you were looking for accommodation that weekend I would be quick if I were you. Apparently the motels have nearly already been booked out, and the phones have not stopped ringing, people are generally excited about the V8's return to Winton. Can't wait, this year is going to be awesome.

[peckstar]

accomodation booked. im going to bonnie doon.

might struggle with my sons birthday on the same weekend

[Adam Ronke]

There is always the good old camp ground at the circuit.

I do have some accommodation listings if anyone is chasing one.

Places like Albury/Wodonga or Shepparton are not that far away and worth considering to stay at, or like you say Bonnie Doon or Mansfield.

[BFC]

u might have a full compliment of officials too after the training day

[storyline]

Originally Posted by peckstar

might struggle with my sons birthday on the same weekend

Isn't a weekend away with Dad at the Winton V8's a good enough birthday present?

[risky]

Quote:
Victorian motorsport fans are the big winners...

that's for sure. albert park, sandown, phillip island and now winton. that's 4 out of a 13 round series. victoria is obviously the place to be if your a v8 supercar fan.
congratulations to the winton fans and commiserations to all your eastern creekers.

[storyline]

Albert Park isn't a round it's still (much to TC's disgust) a 'non-championship' event that has to be 'compulsorily' attended by all teams.

[Trevor]

Congratulations to all at Winton for the effort in getting the V8's back - Well Done everyone! Let's together make it bigger and better than all others!

[risky]

Originally Posted by storyline

Albert Park isn't a round it's still (much to TC's disgust) a 'non-championship' event that has to be 'compulsorily' attended by all teams.

much the same as the gold coast round, according to most southerners.

[hgmonaro]

“There has been some intense lobbying at all levels which convinced us that Winton was deserved of the opportunity to hold a one-off event such as this.

“To leave a gap of some seven weeks following the cancellation of the June China date made little sense. This one-off event ensures there is not that considerable gap in the calendar.”

ramming home the one-off nature of this event aren't they! lol!

[storyline]

Ahh but the Gold Coast event is actually a round of the Championship - Round 10.

[johnny yuma]

I'll go if there's a Biante Historics SUPPORT RACE and Stubber runs the Camaro.

[D.R.T.]

If Avesco are still trying to negotiate a new date further in the year with China, what round will be dropped in its place. As aren't the teams willing to only run is it 13 rounds in 06 ?

[Robert Ryan]

To take such a great step forward in getting up the first event in China, an event that by any measure was a great success, and somehow managing to completely stuff up the return. Any hope of building on the initial gains in Asia is now gone.

Smart man...you can see outside the very narrow minded parochialism, that if given free rein, would eventually cripple the series. Yes it WAS a very good move by the V8Supercar people to do what they did. As EVERY major Touring car organisation is after sponsorship from a now global economy.

[Average Punter]

Originally Posted by hgmonaro

“There has been some intense lobbying at all levels which convinced us that Winton was deserved of the opportunity to hold a one-off event such as this.

“To leave a gap of some seven weeks following the cancellation of the June China date made little sense. This one-off event ensures there is not that considerable gap in the calendar.”

ramming home the one-off nature of this event aren't they! lol!

True hg, but what better way to show up the pathetic way the local fans are looked by after by V8SA, than by us packing Winton to the rafters?

All we do then is sit back and wait for their squirming press release as to why they can't go back there again in the future...

Forty thousand race fans will vote with their feet and be ignored.

Again.

[Matt H]

i heard a rumour stubber cant race in australia so u may not see him race for a bit

[RotorFan]

FOUR times they said "one-off". Whats the deal with that? Why is Winton so bad? The crowds are good... The only bad thing is that its not in NSW.

I guess it doesnt have a fancy enough control tower for the officials.

[storyline]

Actually Winton has one of the most recently built control towers. Compared to Sandown, Phillip Island, Barbagallo - even Eastern Creek - its facilities are far superior (and there is room to swing a cat - try doing that at Barbagallo or Sandown!)

[Matt H]

dont want to swing a cat whilst eating caviar and the like :P might get the suits dirty

[Alan 52]

"THE FIRST EVENT IN CHINA WAS A GREAT SUCCESS BY ANY MEASURE"?You are kidding.The organisers lost millions of dollars.When they were looking at levels of local interest-corporate and paying public- for the second event they found there was close to zero.The only success was the con job by The Artist Formerly Known As Avesco in persuading the Chinese to stick $5 million in

























"THE FIRST EVENT IN CHINA ,AN EVENT THAT BY ANY MEASURE WAS A GREAT SUCCESS"?You have to be kidding.The promoters lost MILLIONS of dollars.When they started looking at the second event they found that there was close to zero local interest from either local corporates or local paying public.The race was only a success for Tony who persuaded the Chinese to stick about $5 million in the pockets of The Artist Formerly Known As AVESCO.All the mentions about Winton 2006 being a one off are The Artist's way of saving face.All though I am local to Eastern Creek and hope the V8's return there soon I also hope that Winton retains its round for as long as it wants it.

[V8RYAN]

why cant you swing a cat at sandown? that place is fantastic!