Enthusiastic Sydney fans were eager to witness the new for 2013 V8 Supercar Car Of The Future, and subsequently descended in large numbers for last weekend's Official Test Day at Sydney Motorsport Park. A record number for an official pre-season test translated to 17-odd thousand punters attending the free event. 
    The day included a lunchtime fan grid walk with drivers ever present to chat with fans and gladly posing for photos. Fans were then treated to a couple of practise restarts behind the Safety Car. Remember in 2013, restarts are double file. Will the leading driver choose the inside line to cover the run into Turn 1 bearing in mind that it may not always be the racing line where there's more rubber down and therefore grip? The cars will be much closer together definitely raising excitement levels. The last 15 minutes of the day resembled the frantic dying stages of a qualifying session with teams trying to gain a psychological advantage over their rivals going into next weekend's season opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. A great day was had by all.
    But are the big crowd numbers enough to persuade V8 Supercars to include Sydney Motorsport Park as a regular venue on the championship calendar? In the past we've spoken about the importance of brand promotion through TV and online exposure to generate both corporate and fan interest. 
    However it all starts with crowd numbers through the gates doesn't it? Venues and promoters need to know that an event is first of all fiscally viable. Big crowd numbers then entice TV to broadcast the event. This then seduces more fans watching at home to attend next year as it looks like an event you can't miss. Business interest therefore increases as companies see a great avenue to promote their own brands through both team and trackside sponsorship. The cycle continues. Alternatively, if the venue looks half empty on TV, the event seems less appealing to both fans and business, and consequently, interest wanes.
    So do you think that crowd numbers have such a large influence on venues staging events? More importantly, will you be attending the next V8 Supercar event when they return to Sydney Motorsport Park? It is a great facility with the circuit upgrades transforming the circuit. Would love to see the V8's plunging into the new section though. 
    Let us know what you think. Leave a comment or send us an email at: [email protected]. In our next post formulafrontrow.com will be previewing the Australian Formula One Grand Prix. See you soon. Cheers....
    
    

    It's our first anniversary since starting formulafrontrow.com and we'd like to thank all our loyal friends and "surfers" for frequenting this site.
    By now you are no doubt aware that we love our motorsport. Our agenda simply revolves around sharing our exposures with the world with a view to encourage people to attend their own events of choice. We love nothing better than pointing our Nikons at such an exciting, fast moving sport with undertones of danger. The adrenaline rush of an F1 race start, being almost blown off your feet by a Top Fuel Dragstar, witnessing a V8 supercar crash over the kerbs or the deafening roar of a Moto X start. It's a sensory overload that we highly recommend.
    As the 2013 season commences Down Under and since we're celebrating our first birthday, we thought it would be appropriate to inform you of what events we plan on attending and what categories will be featured in future posts. Unfortunately other commitments meant we couldn't stay for the race itself, but this post contains plenty of shots from the Saturday of the Bathurst 12 Hour featuring GT for you to enjoy. Sydney Motorsport Park hosts the official V8 Supercar Test Day next weekend and The Nationals twice in March and July featuring Radical Australia Cup, Formula 3 and a 6 Hour GT endurance race. We'll also catch Formula 3 headlining the Bathurst Motor Festival this Easter and V8 Supercars at the Sydney 500 in December. Sydney Dragway gets a look in with the Nitro Champs in May and the Australian Nationals in November. Two wheel fans need not be worried as Moto X will also be covered. Next month is of course the big one; The Australian Formula One Grand Prix from Albert Park, Melbourne. Lots to look forward to.
    Birthdays are also a time of reflection. Therefore, we would welcome your feedback on formulafrontrow.com and what motorsport categories you'd like to see featured or more of, and what improvements could be made. Send us an email at: [email protected] or simply leave a comment. 
    Have you got you ticket sorted for the Aust. F1 GP yet? Better hurry....