NSW Begins Sport 'Superweek'

NSW Premier Nathan Rees has began the five-day countdown to this week's Sydney Telstra 500, and Sydney's biggest week of sport.

Premier Rees stated the NSW Government was committed to positioning Sydney as the events capital of Australia, saying "Sydney is about to experience one of the biggest weeks in sport that the city has ever seen, and will reinforce NSW's reputation as Australiaâs events capital.

"The Sydney Telstra 500 will be Sydney's showcase motoring and entertainment event utilising the world class facilities of Sydney Olympic Park to its full potential for the first time since the 2000 Olympics.

"The event is expected to attract more than 15,000 interstate and international visitors, and will be broadcast to more than 130 countries internationally, providing a tremendous opportunity to promote Sydney as a major tourism and event destination."

The weekend of sporting entertainment will also include the much-anticipated Danny Green fight with legendary American Roy Jones, the Australian Golf Open and Sydney FC's game against North Queensland Fury.

Tony Cochrane, Executive Chairman of V8 Supercars Australia, stated that he was delighted that the Sydney Telstra 500 was the feature of Sydney's SuperWeek.

Cochrane stated "we are about to pull off the biggest sporting and entertainment extravaganza Sydney has ever seen, during what is going to be Sydneyâs biggest weekend of sport.

"Sydneysiders have embraced the Sydney Telstra 500, with ticket sales exceeding expectations and expected to spike this week.

"Staging the Sydney Telstra 500 would not have been possible without the unwaivering support of the NSW Government, which recognised from the outset the significant impact the Sydney Telstra 500 would have on tourism and the economy."

Adding to the celebrations, current first and second place V8 Supercar drivers, Jamie Whincup and Will Davison took part in a symbolic hand over of the Sydney Telstra 500 Trophy (manufactured by Hardy Brothers Jewellers - makers of the Melbourne Cup) to Premier Rees.

Champion boxer Danny Green and golfers Greg Chalmers and Michael Campbell also attended the event to throw their support behind the weekend's sporting spectacular

Tony Cochrane added "not only will the Sydney Telstra 500 be the biggest sporting event this city has seen in years, it will also offer world-class entertainment with some of Australia's hottest music acts performing at the Friday and Saturday evening concerts."

The Friday night concert will feature The Presets, The Potbelleez and Sneaky Sound System, while Saturday will include a special one-off reunion performance from Australian rock legends Cold Chisel, The Living End and Grinspoon.

30th September 2008 - V8 SUPERCARS CONFIRMED FOR SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK