It is set to be a history-making weekend when the Supercars championship rolls into Queensland Raceway for this year’s Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint.
It is the 23rd time Australia’s premier motorsport championship has come to Ipswich, and the event always throws up something special.
This year will be no different with several firsts and history-making moments to watch.
Among them will be DJR Team Penske which is set to become the first team in ATCC/Supercars Championship history to start 900 championship races.
The team, which tests at Ipswich, made its championship debut as Dick Johnson Racing in 1981 and will reach the milestone on Sunday.
It is also within one of claiming 100 championship poles.
The two milestones come at a good time for the team, which is at the top of its game with drivers Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard one and two respectively in this year’s championship.
McLaughlin has claimed the past four poles on offer at Queensland Raceway so is a good chance to deliver the team’s 100th championship pole.
Other moments to watch for over the weekend include Anton De Pasquale starting his 50th Supercars Championship race on Saturday, Nick Percat racing in new colours with his Brad Jones Racing machine and five-time Bathurst winner Steven Richards making his debut in the SuperUte support category.
Supercars drivers Scott McLaughlin and Chaz Mostert, together with ECB SuperUtes driver Cameron Crick, visited Century Batteries this week.
SuperSprint is not just about what happens ontrack, and the city has been gearing up all week for the major event.
Last weekend, top drivers delighted fans at a community day at Springfield Central.
On Monday, drivers McLaughlin and Chaz Mostert visited Century Batteries headquarters at Carole Park to help the company and its 400 staff donate $5,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland.
Several local businesses have also caught SuperSprint fever, adding Supercars-inspired items to their menu for the week.
Ungermann Brothers Ice-cream Parlour is offering a special V8 SuperSprint Grease Car Range inspired by Queensland Raceway, with black ice-cream in three flavours – black sesame seed, liquorice and smoked vanilla.
Ungermann Brothers head chef Lauren Bishop with a Supercars inspired ice-cream.
Pumpyard Bar and Brewery is offering an exclusive Burnout Martini, Indian Mehfil in Brisbane Street has Supercars Lamb Shank while nearby The Retro Diner is offering a unique Sprinter High Tea.
Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint event manager Melissa Stephens said the economic benefits the event brings to Ipswich are significant.
“Our teams, drivers and partners look forward to this spectacular week of racing, excitement and entertainment as the Championship heads to south-east Queensland this weekend,” she said.
“The Ipswich event brings thousands of visitors to the city each year, generating a substantial economic impact to the region, coupled with the exposure of live audiences across FOX Sports, TEN and an international viewership across almost 100 countries and 300 million homes.
“We have one of our largest ever support cards on the racing bill with the Dunlop Super2 Series, ECB SuperUtes, Kumho Super3, Aussie Racing Cars and the fan-favourite, Touring Car Masters.
“Off track we debut our SuperKids Zone for the first time here in Ipswich. The SuperKids Zone is an interactive full of fun for the family to enjoy while the action heats up on track across the weekend.
“We look forward to a weekend full of action and excitement at Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint and thank all of the volunteers and officials who help make it happen.”
Century Batteries Ipswich SuperSprint runs from Friday, 26 July to Sunday, 28 July at Queensland Raceway at Willowbank.
There is always plenty of interest in the Ipswich SuperSprint.
