Green light

By Nicole Williams
V8 SUPERCARS will be revving up Sandown Racecourse next year for the launch of the 2012 season.
Greater Dandenong Council has approved an application from the Melbourne Racing Club to hold the V8 Supercars 2012 launch and test day at Sandown Racecourse on Saturday 11 February next year.
It has been tipped to be a huge drawcard for Greater Dandenong, with up to 15,000 to attend on the day.
The event will receive extensive national and international television coverage, showcasing the City of Greater Dandenong around the world.
Greater Dandenong Acting Chief Executive Officer Bruce Rendall said the benefits for the municipality were huge.
“The V8 Supercars offer exposure for our city to a national and potentially international audience,” he said.
“The event offers a number of benefits for the local area, attracting spectators from outside our city who stay in our hotels, dine at our restaurants and shop at local businesses.”
Councillor John Kelly said the launch would not just be about cars.
“This isn’t just a car race; this is about launching big business, not only in City of Greater Dandenong and not only in Melbourne and Victoria, but internationally,” Cr Kelly said.
“V8 car racing isn’t small dollars and I think we have a responsibility, not only for the residents, but for businesses.”
The event will be free and have a ‘positive family’ environment.
Although not an official race day, the launch will feature all 28 V8 Supercars Championship cars and their 2012 drivers as they prepare for the opening event of the season in Abu Dhabi.
There will also be meet-and-greet opportunities with the drivers.
With singing superstar Pink as the face of the V8 Supercars the previous two years, there is speculation another big name will soon be announced as a replacement.
Last year the launch and test day was held at Eastern Creek Raceway in Sydney.
More information about the 2012 V8 Supercars launch and season will be announced before the end of the year.
The Melbourne Racing Club proposed in the application to hold the launch day in lieu of the Easternats event, typically held over the three-day Easter long weekend.
Councillor Youhorn Chea voiced concerns at Monday’s council meeting that nearby residents would be inconvenienced by the noise.
However Councillor Peter Brown said the noise would only be for one day, compared to the three days of racing during Easternats.