James Warburton Steps Down

BY TYLER FARDELL


It's come as a surprise to everyone this morning, the CEO of Virgin Supercars Australia James Warburton announced he will step down following the end of the current Supercar championship series.

The final race is the Newcastle 500, set for the 24th of next month.

Mr Warburton has been in the top spot for four and a half years and said in a statement this morning it is with a heavy heart that he resigns.

"It is with a heavy heart, I advise the 2017 season will be my last as CEO of the Virgin Supercars Australia championship", he said.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to work with such inspiring people within the supercars family and to lead a sport of which I have been a fan of since I was five".

During his tenure as CEO, Mr Warburton orchestrated a landmark television deal with Channel Ten and Foxsports, as well as a plethora of sponsorship and government deals.

There's been no word of Mr Warburton's replacement or what his next move will be, but he still remains as passionate about the sport as ever.

"In 2018, your number 1 fan will be sitting opposite pit lane, finally in shorts and a t-shirt, with his family, cold beer in the hand cheering you all".

James Warburton
Photo source: The Daily Telegraph

Supercars Boss Says Newcastle 500 Noise Can Be Mitigated

BY IAN CROUCH AND NIKOLA JOKANOVIC

Supercars Australia admits some homes in Newcastle's East End will be impacted by noise above accepted guidelines when the Newcastle 500 comes to the city in November.

Organisers commissioned an independent audit which found 31 homes in 11 buildings will be subjected to noise levels between one and seven decibels higher than recommended guidelines.

However, Supercars boss, James Warburton maintains the impact of noise can be addressed by simple and effective mitigation strategies and they're working with government agencies to identify and help any residents in the East End with special needs.

"The Supercars are actually getting in contact with each and every one of those residents and discussing a range of mitigation factors. There's a whole range of measures that we're putting in place, plus working with family and community services, if there's mental health issues or elderly or very young kids. We're working through each individual need in the precinct."

The organisers will be publishing a noise management plan featuring a number of noise mitigation strategies for residents and businesses in the precinct.

Proposed measures include installing acoustic screens at key points on the circuit, providing hearing protection to individuals, moving from the front of properties to back rooms and advising concerned residents to leave the racing precinct during the day.

Warburton thinks the positives of the event far outweigh the negatives.

"I don't think there's any shadow of a doubt that this will be the biggest event Newcastle's ever seen, and it's here for the long term. It'll be a huge boost and stimulus for local businesses, and obviously the local community. This really is about shining a light very brightly on Newcastle and ensuring that when our fans come here, they come a little earlier and leave a little later and really enjoy the region."

Supercars Boss James Warburton says Noise Issues Can Be Mitigated

V8 Supercar stars hit the Hunter tomorrow

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Some of the biggest starts of the V8 Supercars are hitting Foreshore Park tomorrow in the lead up to the Newcastle 500 in November.

The Community Fun Day being held tomorrow between 10am and 2pm will give the community the opportunity to meet drivers such as Garth Tander, the only full time female driver Simona De Silvestro, and get their hands on some of the first tickets to be sold for the event.

Tickets going on sale tomorrow are at a reduced rate for people who live in the Hunter area.

Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton has made the trip as well, and believes tomorrow will give the community an idea of just what the V8's will bring to the city.

"It gives a taste of what the Supercars event will be in November, but until you've been to a major street race event its very hard to get your head around exactly what we are bringing. I think on the most part through all the research we've seen, the support levels are up in the high 80 per cent plus range."

Many East End residents are still opposing the plan to have the race held in the city, but James Warburton is keen to show just how much money the race can inject into the city's economy.

"These events are actually about making sure hotels, houses are rented out, there's full restaurants and bars and clubs and all those types of things and that's what makes or breaks these types of events and we're obviously excited to be in such an amazing city."

The race in November is expected to see more than 150, 000 spectators flock to the city from local to interstate.

"We know a lot of our interstate fans are already booking and  wanting to come here and that's the absolute focus on what's needed for the economy and people come the the race and often stay on and go to the Hunter and the vineyards and have a good time and enjoy everything the region has to offer," said James Warburton.

V8 Supercar superstars visit Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

V8 Supercars superstars visited Newcastle this morning to inspect the circuit for this year's inaugural Coates Hire Newcastle 500 in November.

Drivers James Courtney and Scott McLaughlin were joined by Supercars CEO James Warburton at Fort Scratchley for a tour of the circuit with circuit engineers.

The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will be the grand final of the Virgin Australia Supercar Championship for the next five years.

"We were here a month ago and did a similar sort of thing where we plotted out and worked out where we thought it should go, and its great to see something that you've been a part of the whole way growing and its all starting and all here, and it's fantastic," said James Courtney.

The race will give a huge economic boost to the region of more than $57 million attracting 81,000  visitors over the next five years.

CEO James Warburton with Supercars drivers and engineers at Coates Hire Newcastle 500 circuit this morning. [Image Cole Hitchcock]

V8 Supercars set to roar into Newcastle

BY TYLER FARDELL

Newcastle is set to be the new home of the season ending Supercar championship race next year when it takes over from the Sydney Olympic Park circuit.

Premier Mike Baird made the announcement today alongside champion race drivers Mark Winterbottom, Chaz Mostert and James Courtney.

From left to right; James Courtney, Mike Baird, James Warburton, Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert

"The Hunter has thousands of Supercar fans who now have an event to call their own," he said.

"The Coates Hire 500 Newcastle will be the first Supercars race ever held in Newcastle and is another major event secured for regional NSW".

The exact route is yet to be decided but the preferred course includes a loop past Horseshoe and Nobby's beach, climbing past Fort Scratchley and into the East end through Pacific, Telford and Watt streets.

Aerial view of the proposed track