If you had to name another V8 Supercar weekend with the same build up and hype as the Sydney Telstra “Homebush” 500, you could only come up with one; Bathurst.  

The Sydney Telstra 500 weekend has been in the building stage since last year. Earlier in the year, V8 Supercars crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge for the event launch which not only made history but headlines internationally. The track, built with recommendations by Mark Skaife is set to be a cracker with great elevations, high speed corners and several passing opportunities.

Jason Richards is one of the elite few drivers who has sampled the track in a pre-race Sunrise story, broadcasted on the seven network last Friday. The Bigpond backed driver was impressed by the track.

“With so many passing spots, difficult corners and braking areas the track will ensure spectators are treated to a great contest and spectacular racing,” Richards said.

“There is a real buzz among the drivers to finally race on Australia’s newest street track.

Pre race ticket sales have excelled to incredible highs with corporate sales going through the roof. Despite the V8 Supercars taking centre stage, the entertainment side of things is the biggest for Sydney in 2009.

“To secure Australia’s biggest motorsport contest as well as one of the year’s most exciting entertainment events is a real coup for New South Wales and in particular Sydney”, NSW Minister Macdonald said.

“New South Wales wants to host the country’s greatest events and the Sydney Telstra 500 is exactly that”.

The question from the introduction still remains, will the event live up to the expectation built around the hype? Sydney is a new market for V8 Supercars and there are thousands of fans in that area (from external surveys). There has been debate to whether the Homebush park location facility should be used for a motorsport event but given that the local economy will receive an expected $110 million boost, it can only be positive.

Eastern Creek struggled to attract fans to watch the V8 Supercars but that was for different reasons. Its fairly safe to say the facilities for the teams and fans were not great. The relationship between V8 Supercars Australia and the Eastern Creek track owners was not positive neither and eventually brought the downfall for the track on the 2009 calendar.

All in all, Sydney Telstra 500 will be one hell of an event!

Copyright - V8SFG 2009 | Author - Justin