WINTERBOTTOM WINS AS NIKON SUPERGP CONCLUDES IN STYLE

Mark Winterbottom has continued his blistering form despite illness today aboard his #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, coming home for the win this afternoon and finishing second in this morning’s race at the final day of racing for the 2009 Nikon SuperGP.

That makes two wins, and two runner-ups from the four 150km races this weekend for the driver who has been battling a glandular illness this week, with the points he collected – the most of any driver this weekend – elevating him to fifth in the championship.

Winterbottom beat home Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander and Jim Beam Racing’s James Courtney this afternoon, after following TeamVodafone’s Craig Lowndes across the line this morning while leading the third placed Tander.

“It is awesome to be back in the winners circle,” said Winterbottom.

“Yesterday was a great day as well. It’s awesome. The Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon was really good all throughout the weekend and it is a credit to everyone in the Ford Performance Racing team to have a car that can finish all four races right up the front.

“It’s been a very tough weekend that’s for sure but to come away with it and finally break through for a win is really special.”

Also having the fans cheering today was the tribute paid to three time F1 World Champion and the event’s number one ticketholder Sir Jack Brabham today, with his grandson Matthew driving the same model Cooper car he secured the first of his world titles before pushing the car across the finish line (see separate release).

Nikon SuperGP General Manager, Greg Hooton confirmed a Sunday crowd of 57,355 for a four-day total of 205,260.

“To have a crowd in excess of 200,000 fans over the four days considering the build-up we had to this event is a great result,” said Hooton.

“Sure we are down overall, but those figures still make this event one of the best attended motorsport events.

“I think the crowd enjoyed the final race program and other activities and the whole precinct had a terrific feel.”

Also on track today were the Pirtek Australian Legends, who brought the memories flooding back for the fans as they watched legends including Jim Richards, Dick Johnson, Kevin Bartlett and John French carve up the track at near race speed in their million-dollar machines.

Norm Beechey’s 1971 GTHO Super Falcon, Allan Moffat’s 1969 Trans Am Mustang and Dick Johnson’s 1984 Greens Tuf XE Falcon were among the head-turners in the field and thousands of people strolled through the Pirtek Walk of Fame pit garages and there were huge cheers as the drivers completed their laps.

In other racing, Ash Walsh was victorious in the final race of the event for the Strategic Airlines Formula Ford, leading Nick Percat and Geoff Uhrane across the line this afternoon, while in the Hayman’s Electrical Mini Challenge Chris Alajajian took the race three win ahead of Paul Stokell and Ryan Hansford. In the Aussie Racing Cars, who enjoyed four races this weekend, Adam Cowans, Jyle Clews and David Besnard made up the top three in today’s final race.

ABOUT V8 SUPERCARS
V8 Supercars is proudly Australian-made but fast becoming a leading world export. International expansion is already occurring as the sport becomes globally recognised as the best touring car racing in the world.

V8 Supercars is easily the largest motorsport category in Australia.

ABOUT THE NIKON SUPERGP, GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND
The Nikon SuperGP is a partnership between the Queensland Government and IMG.

IMG is the world’s premier Sports, Entertainment and Media Company. IMG is a diversified global business with two major business segments: IMG Sports & Entertainment, and IMG Media. IMG employs over 2,300 people in 30 countries. Forstmann Little Co. purchased IMG in 2004.

The Queensland Government invests $11.6 Million a year into the Nikon SuperGP. More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.