Hamilton Set to Rock
It’s proved popular with Australia audiences, now the Rock ‘N’ Race format heads across the Tasman as part the new-look ITM400 on the streets of Hamilton, New Zealand. And it’s a cracker of a line-up for the format’s Kiwi debut, with iconic rockers ZZ Top and punk rock favourites Good Charlotte set to rock Hamilton.
ZZ Top will take to the stage situated at Seddon Park on Saturday night, playing their classic hits, while Good Charlotte will round out the weekend on Sunday night. Attendance to the concerts is included with all single and multiple day tickets, and if the success of Rock ‘N’ Race in Australia is anything to go by, it should prove a popular addition to the weekend’s festivities with Kiwi fans and a great follow up to a day of racing.
Speaking of the racing, the 3.4 kilometre Hamilton track is a popular one amongst the V8 Supercar drivers as it combines the unforgiving nature of a street circuit with some fast sections that lends itself to overtaking. Popular sections for fans include the spectator mound at the tight Holden Hairpin (turn two), the fast chicane (turn four) along King Street, which often sees the V8s rise onto two wheels as they sweep through, and the revamped turn six.
XXXX Gold Ambassador Driver Jamie Whincup heads to New Zealand with a comfortable 144-point Championship lead following his wins in Abu Dhabi and the Clipsal 500. Having swept last season’s races in Hamilton, Whincup will be tough to beat yet again. Greg Murphy will be as popular as ever in his homeland, eager to get bragging rights over fellow Kiwis Shane van Gisbergen and Fabian Coulthard, while the absent Jason Richards will be in many people’s minds.
Pic: Murph will be back on his home track but will have to do it without his favourite XXXX Angels
There’s also an extra incentive for the locals to get to the event in 2011. $5 from every pre-purchased Ticketek sale will be donated to the Christchurch Relief Fund, with some teams and drivers set to run special liveries to promote various relief funds.
For more information on the event and to buy your pre-purchased ticket, visit http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/
