It is an exciting week on wheels for Northern Tasmania and the state – both motorised and manpowered.
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The V8 Supercars return to Symmons Plains where Jamie Whincup hopes to make the history books by beating Craig Lowndes’ championship race wins.
On Wednesday, the annual transporter parade will snake its way from the racetrack through Launceston.
The parade has always been a crowd favourite with fans and children alike.
The Examiner’s livestream of the event last year was, surprisingly, one of the most popular digital stories watched on our platform.
Not only will Symmons Plains be broadcast to thousands across the nation, the Enduro World Series will put the small North-East town of Derby on the map to an international audience.
About 30 professional teams – that is about 500 riders – along with their support staff, spectators and media outlets, will converge on Northern Tasmania for the event.
Tasmanian riders like Rowena Fry, Ewan Ferrier, Dylan Calow and Stephen Matthews will compete in the world series.
Matthews said his call-up to the enduro was like “a soccer fan jumping onto the field and playing against Ronaldo”.
“It’s Tasmania’s chance to put our best foot forward with the world’s eyes on us,” he said.
It is a feather in our cap that our small state can attract such impressive events – it means hotel rooms will be full and our eateries busy.
The 2016 Auditor-General’s report into events found the North’s main events – AFL games at UTAS Stadium and the V8 Supercars – generated $24.9 million from a government investment of more than $2 million.
Last year, The Examiner reported the V8 supercars attracted about 4000 interstate visitors and 60,000 spectators overall.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s Steve Old said tourism operators were looking forward to this year’s events.
“I know all our operators in the area are looking forward to the V8s as they do each year as it brings a huge injection into the local economy in not only Northern Tasmania but the whole state,” Mr Old said.
“Add in the Enduro World Series and it will be a fantastic period for hospitality in the area.
“Occupancy rates are high for the period concerned with many hotels and B&Bs filling fast.”