Pupils from Gagebrook Primary School seized the chance to ask drivers questions at the annual junior press conference and discovered everything from Andre Heimgartner’s advice for getting started to Rick Kelly’s least favourite school subject.

‘‘I did not mind woodwork or metalwork or outdoor stuff but I was poor at English and still not so good,’’ said Nissan driver Kelly, series champion in 2006.

‘‘That’s the one I should have spent more time on.’’

Teenage Kiwi Heimgartner, who agreed that English was important so that drivers could spell correctly on Twitter, passed on a valuable tip about how to get a start in the highly competitive and expensive sport.

‘‘I tell kids to tell their mum or dad to go and buy them a go-kart to get started,’’ he said. ‘‘But that doesn’t usually go down well with the mum or dad.’’

Schoolchildren from across the state were enjoying the opening day of Tasmania’s largest sporting event, including Riverside High grade 10s.

‘‘It is only for those of us in automotive class where we learn about cars and engines,’’ explained Victor Klintoukh.

Kai Bailey added: ‘‘It’s a bit wet and very loud but still better than a day at school.’’ Twenty students from each grade of Exeter High were selected based on good behaviour in class.

‘‘It was very exciting when my name was pulled out, I had a meltdown,’’ said Jordan Adams.

Merchandising, food outlets and stalls were as popular as the action on the track with emergency services seizing the chance to promote aviation rescue firefighting.

‘‘The kids love our truck and we’re hoping to encourage boys and girls to think about this as a career,’’ said aviation firefighter Will Swan.

Lewisham brothers Brad, 11, and eight-year-old Mason Woolley even tried on some of the firefighters’ gear.

The three-day event kicks into top gear today with two 25-lap V8 Supercar races and ends with an 84-lap race tomorrow.