MCLAUGHLIN AND DE PASQUALE HELP LAUNCH PERT SUPERNIGHT

PRESS RELEASE/Supercars – photo: supplied

Tickets have gone on sale for one of the most anticipated events on the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship calendar, the PIRTEK Perth SuperNight.

The only night racing in 2019 includes three days of on-track racing and qualifying, with the Friday and Saturday nights filled with action-packed racing under lights.

Shane van Gisbergen claimed victory in Supercars first race under lights on Australian soil since 1997 following an epic battle with eventual Supercars Champion, Scott McLaughlin, in Sydney last year.

McLaughlin, who has won five out of the six races in his new-look Shell V-Power Ford Mustang so far in 2019, was in Perth today with up and coming Penrite Racing star Anton De Pasquale to help launch ticket sales for the event.

Joined by PIRTEK CEO Stephen Dutton and Chairman of Tourism WA Chairman, Nathan Harding, the drivers took on an adrenalin filled activity of a different kind today, jetboating on the iconic Swan River, just over 40 days out from Supercars visit to Barbagallo.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said it was a real coup for Perth to be the only place in the nation where fans could experience a Supercars night race this year.

“This exciting spectacle at Barbagallo Raceway will offer car racing enthusiasts action-packed entertainment for all the family, attracting visitors and creating a fantastic atmosphere,” he said.

PIRTEK CEO Stephen Dutton joined the drivers in Perth today and said: “We’re incredibly excited to be involved in the initial PIRTEK Perth SuperNight race and we are happy to be working with Tourism WA and Supercars to bring this event to life.”

“PIRTEK is a proud organisation with 11 locations throughout WA, and it’s going to be wonderful to bring our brand to life within this race event.”

Reigning Supercars Champion and current Virgin Australia McLaughlin said: “I’m very excited to get out there, I know Barbagallo has had a massive upgrade with some resurfacing which is very exciting, so the track should be super-fast and at night we always go faster as well.”

“Probably half a second will split the whole field, it’s got some of the biggest stops in Australian motorsport, the last corner you’re doing about 260km/h and you’re trying to slow the car down to about 70km/h in about 100 metres.

“We’ve had four wins in a row here and we’ve got to hit the ground running.”

“We’re only racing Friday and Saturday this year, so taking Sunday off to go to Rottnest I think and get a photo with one of those little animals … quokkas.”

Anton de Pasquale said: “We saw in Sydney last year when we brought back night racing there was a boost in the crowd, obviously a different dynamic with the time, you can bring families, you don’t miss days and get to enjoy the night.”

With fireworks on and off the track expected at the event between 2-4 May, a strong crowd is expected in the west for the historic event.

Tickets start from $21 for a single day Trackside pass and are available through Ticketek now. Interstate fans can book online through the dedicated Supercars Travel website by clicking here.

The first PIRTEK Perth SuperNight will run from Thursday 2nd May to Saturday 4th May at Barbagallo Raceway. Supercars will have practice on the Thursday evening, followed by two days of racing under lights.

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