Three generations of the legendary Brabham family, Sir Jack, Geoff and Matthew, have been announced as the number one, two and three ticket holders for this year’s Nitro SuperGP as part of a special ticket launch in the North Penthouse at Conrad Jupiters on the Gold Coast today.

It has also been announced that Conrad Jupiters has renewed its support of the event for a 19th consecutive year in a relationship which has been uninterrupted since the event’s inception in 1991, with the Gold Coast icon to host a power-packed listing of high-profile events and corporate hospitality opportunities.

This news comes less than a week after Nitro Energy Drink came on board as the naming rights sponsor of the event for the next three years.

This year’s 19th annual event, to be held from October 22-25 on the streets of the Gold Coast, will bring together A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and the home-grown V8 Supercars Championship Series for the first time, for four days and nights of action at what is one of the world’s great sporting festivals.

Three-time Formula 1 World Champion (1959, 1960 and 1966) Sir Jack Brabham was the first driver in history to be knighted for his services to motorsport (1979) and has since seen his sons Geoff, Gary and David and grandson Matthew all go on to prove themselves as Australia’s ‘first family’ of motorsport.

“As a Gold Coaster it is a privilege to be made the number one ticket holder for this year’s Nitro SuperGP,” said Sir Jack, who is celebrating the 50th anniversary of his first World Championship this year.

“It is also great to have Geoff and Matthew recognised with me at the same time and I look forward to heading to this year’s event with them.”

Geoff Brabham, who is regarded as one of the most versatile drivers to have been produced in the country, is a fan of the Gold Coast event which has grown into one of the crown jewels of world motorsport.

“The A1GP concept is an interesting one and I think those cars will be particularly quick around the Nitro SuperGP circuit,” said Geoff.

“When you combine those cars with the V8 Supercars and the support program you have a pretty unique event which is something every Queenslander, and Australian for that matter, can be proud of. To do something like this with both dad and Matthew is pretty special to us.”

Fifteen-year-old Matthew, son of 1993 Le Mans winner, four-time IMSA GT Champion and 1997 Bathurst 1000 winner Geoff is a four-time state karting champion.

The Southport School student, who will head to Townsville at Easter to challenge for the 2009 Australian National Championship title, accepted his official ticket alongside his father and grandfather.

“I am a big fan of the Gold Coast event and having the A1GP cars here for the first time is going to make it even more interesting this year,” said Matthew.

“In the meantime I have the Australian Karting titles at Easter. It would be great to turn up at the Nitro SuperGP in October as a national champion.”

Nitro SuperGP chairman, Mr Terry Mackenroth, was on hand today to present the Brabhams with their VIP tickets.

“There is no doubt that Brabham is the greatest name in Australian motorsport history and we are delighted that Sir Jack, Geoff and Matthew have accepted our invitation to be the first three ticket holders for this year’s event,” said Mr Mackenroth.

“To have Sir Jack as our number one ticket holder and Alan Jones as the head of A1 Team Australia puts us in pretty good company.

“To have Conrad Jupiters back on board in a major capacity is also fantastic and continues one of the longest-running sponsorship partnerships in Australian motor racing. This great news also comes after the signing of Nitro Energy Drinks as naming rights sponsor last week.”

Conrad Jupiters General Manager of Customer Experience Marketing, Simon Proctor, said the hotel-casino has played an integral role in the event’s success since its inception, hosting over 34,000 VIPs trackside. This year, the property is expected to spoil around 600 guests per day at the Nitro SuperGP.

“We have always been proud of our association with this home grown event and appreciate the wealth of benefits it brings to our business and the Gold Coast destination,” said Proctor.

“We are excited to be involved in the 2009 Nitro SuperGP and we look forward to four fun-fuelled days and nights of non-stop motorsport action this October.

“If you are chasing the ultimate Nitro SuperGP experience, Conrad Jupiters will continue to be the hottest place to party off-track in 2009.”

The 2009 Nitro SuperGP, October 22-25, will be one of the first rounds of the 2009/10 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport and Event 11 of the V8 Supercars Championship Series.

The event is produced through a partnership between the Queensland Government and IMG – tickets for this year’s event officially went on sale on March 23 through Ticketek on 1300 303 103. More ticketing information can be seen at www.supergp.com

For all the latest ticket information visit the event’s new website www.SuperGP.com. From a one day General Admission ticket to a 4 day Platinum Grandstand seat, the Nitro SuperGP has ticket options to suit every style and pocket. One day General Admission tickets start from just $35 and Four Day passes start from $180 – but if you buy a 4 day pass before August 1 you’ll save $40*. Children 12 and under are free to enter the Event. See SuperGP.com for all ticketing information and prices ( *conditions apply. Visit website for details.)

BRABHAM FAMILY BRIEF HISTORY:
Sir Jack Brabham:
• Formula One World Drivers Champion 1959, 1960 and 1966
• Formula One World Constructors Champion 1966 and 1967
• Fourteen Grand Prix wins
• Thirteen Formula One Pole Positions
• Ten second and seven third place finishes
• Australian of the Year 1966
• Awarded the Order of the British Empire in 1967
• Knighted for his services to motor sport in 1979
• Only driver in Formula One history to win the championship in a car of his own construction
• Contested 126 Grand Prix from 1955 to 1970
• British Saloon Car Championship in 1965
• Won both the Australian and New Zealand Grand Prix three times
• Four-time winner of the European Formula Two Championship

Geoff Brabham – son of Sir Jack Brabham:
• 1981 Can-Am Champion
• 4 Time IMSA Champion (1987 – 1992)
• 1993 Le Mans 24 hour Winner
• 1997 Bathurst 1000 Winner

Matthew Brabham – son of Geoff Brabham:
• Four-time State Champion (Junior National Light – NSW and QLD 2008, Rookies – QLD 2008, Midgets – NSW 2004)
• Four-time State Champion runner-up
• 2nd Australian National Championships – Junior National Light 2008
• 1st Junior Top Guns – Junior Rotax 2009
• 1st SE Queensland Rookie Titles – Rookies 2006

[source: supergp.com]