Four Days of High Octane - Are you ready?
On Thursday October 15, 2009, Rundle Mall came alive as motorsport fans flooded Adelaide, all geared up to celebrate the launch of the 2010 Clipsal 500.
Although the weather was a little wet and windy, this didn’t dampen the spirits of the people who crowded the stage in eager anticipation waiting to hear what was ahead for the race in 2010. Confirmed to take place from the 11th to 14th March, organisers are promising even more for attendees of the event next year. So, posing the question in their new advertising campaign – "Adelaide! Are You Ready?”
Deputy Premier Kevin Foley spoke at the launch, saying this is the people’s race and therefore next year’s focus was to make an emphasis on improvements to the general admission areas of the circuit, newly named Trackside.
"Following the installation of the new temporary pit building complex and shade for grandstand patrons at this year’s event, the South Australian Motor Sport Board is concentrating on providing general admission patrons with an outdoor bistro style area with dining facilities together with a super-screen to provide a base for patrons,” he said.
Mr Foley said in the event’s history the total benefit to the State’s economy now stood at $251.72 million with this year’s race (2009) having brought an economic benefit of $33.5 million. He also said that 75% of corporate tickets have been sold for 2010, and three quarters of grandstand seats are already taken, under the Price Cap pre-booking option.
"That’s great news but there are still plenty of seats, and there is plenty in store to build on the successes of the past in both attendance and more importantly in making sure all the patrons have the best possible experience,” he said.
The Deputy Premier also launched the introduction of three new race categories in 2010, including Supersports, V8 Ute Legends and the Mini Challenge. He went on to add that the Clipsal 500 Adelaide international ambassador Murray Walker is back again.
"Murray Walker’s Extreme Machines car display will feature the new Ferrari California, a new model Lamborghini, and the latest Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette.”
Clipsal’s Executive General Manager, Damien Cummins, also spoke at the launch, telling the crowd what a huge honour it is to sponsor the race.
"Few sponsors can claim ownership of an event the way we do. To hear race fans call the race "the Clipsal” is something that we could never have dreamed of happening.”
Damien also had the pleasure of launching the 2010 Grid Girl uniforms, which for the first time ever, had been designed at the Clipsal head office, by one of Clipsal’s very own Graphic Designers, Katrina Mutton.
"Our electrical trade customers always get very excited when they (The Grid Girls) walk into the room. Sometimes I think they even forget there’s a car race going on,” Damien laughed.
Typically in previous years the Grid Girl outfits have been decorated with the latest Clipsal products, such as last year’s Impress Grid Girls who sported fashion accessories made out of the 2009 range of 30PB switches.
"For the 2010 race we’ve chosen to decorate our girls in our Clipsal Living Electrical red and purple corporate colours. The girls’ very modern outfits match the colour scheme of our new home and head office at Port Wakefield Road, Gepps Cross. It’s a magnificent new facility and I hope that you all get the opportunity to call in for a visit just to see how good it is and the great products we are making down there”, said Damien Cummins.
"The response to the Grid Girl outfits was outstanding. The best design, branding and style, ever, have been some of the descriptions I have heard being thrown around amongst conversation,” said Miriam Leenders, Head of Marketing for the South Australian Motorsport Board.
Much to the delight of the hundreds of V8 enthusiasts amongst the crowd, V8 Supercar drivers, Greg Murphy, Dean Canto, Shane Van Gisbergen, Will Davison, Lee Holdsworth, Tim Slade, Russell Ingall, James Courtney, and Steven Johnson also made an appearance on stage, with each of the guys reflecting on their current year of racing.
More than just a race, each year the Clipsal 500 also displays some of the finest music artists that Australia has to offer with four free on-circuit concerts, and 2010 will be no exception. Eskimo Joe and British India will rock the stage on Thursday night, whilst Saturday will be all about the Australian Idols, with Wes Carr, Tom Williams, the 2009 winner, Stan Walker and Jessica Mauboy, who also performed three of her chart topping singles at the launch. Whilst Status Quo, Ian Moss, Mental as Anything and Noiseworks will finish up the event on Sunday evening.
"It’s the best value ticket in town and we are really concentrating on adding value for the family at the 2010 event. We’ve upped the age that children can gain free admission into the Trackside area when accompanied by a paying adult to 14 and under, introduced a second Family Grandstand and now – we’ve brought back Adelaide’s premier fireworks event the Stratco SAFM Skyshow”, said South Australian Motor Sport Board, Chief Executive Jason Allen.
For media enquiries please contact: Alex Beltrame, Media Manager, Clipsal Australia Ph: (08) 8161 0822
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The Skys the Limit!
As if that’s not enough entertainment and racing action for four consecutive days, it was announced on the 10th of November, that one of South Australia’s most loved events, the SAFM Skyshow, is back next year as part of the 2010 Clipsal 500 Adelaide.
“This is a huge coup. We believe the inclusion of the Stratco SAFM Skyshow will make the 2010 event the biggest Clipsal 500 Adelaide ever”, said South Australian Motor Sport Board, Chief Executive Jason Allen and SAFM General Manager Peter Maynard.
The Stratco SAFM Skyshow will feature multiple firing points inside the Clipsal 500 Adelaide circuit.
