Racing car champions are gearing up for Clermont

Reigning Bathurst 1000 champions Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes will rev up the community of Clermont today (13 August) when they roll into town.

As part of their tour across the Bowen Basin, the V8 Supercar drivers will be special guests at a community barbecue breakfast sponsored by Rio Tinto Coal Australia's Blair Athol Mine and Clermont Mine.

Blair Athol General Manager, Andrew Cole, said the TeamVodafone Pit Stop Challenge will be a chance for local community members to be strapped in and test drive a race car simulator and try changing wheels on a race car.

"Rio Tinto Coal Australia is hosting the breakfast to give locals the chance to meet their sporting heroes," Mr Cole said.

"There are a lot of enthusiastic V8 Supercar fans in our region so the breakfast will be a good opportunity for them to meet their idol one on one."

Entry to the breakfast will be by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to Kilcummin State School P&C, which will be cooking the breakfast.

Clermont Mine General Manager, Dave Lamb, said Rio Tinto Coal Australia was proud of its work to support local events which provide opportunities for personal development in communities which neighbour its mine sites.

"As part of the tour the drivers will also visit Clermont Mine where they will be given a mine site tour and meet employees. Craig and Jamie will talk to our team and share some of their experiences of working in a high performance environment," Mr Lamb said.

Mr Lowndes, three-time V8 Supercar Champion, said the tour of Central Queensland will be an opportunity to meet fans in remote regional areas.

"At each event we receive a strong following, many of whom come from regional areas like Clermont. So really, the tour is a chance for us to show our appreciation for their support," Mr Lowndes said.

Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase merchandise and meet Castrol Ford Performance racing driver Steven Richards who will be signing autographs along with Whincup and Lowndes.

The TeamVodafone Pit Stop Challenge breakfast will be held at Rose Harris Park on Wednesday 13 August from 8am.

ENDS
Media Enquiries:
Nathan Scholz
Rio Tinto Coal Australia
07 3361 4354 / 0417 613 174

Media release - Racing car champions are gearing up for Clermont [PDF: 22 KB]