Motorsport: Revving up action at Hamilton

Promo girls Candy Barry & Natalie Sangster stand on one of the new elevated spectator mounds. Photo / Rhys Palmer

When Greg Murphy comes hurtling around turn six at Hamilton's Supercar circuit this year, fans will get a better view than ever.

The corner is one of three on which grassy mounds have been built for the three-day V8 extravaganza in April.

The move comes after general admission ticket holders complained that it was difficult to see the track when standing on the flat areas behind safety barriers.

Event manager Greg Mosen said turn six, where the bank will seat hundreds, had also been widened to give drivers an opportunity to be aggressive.

The Grid Girls also have a new look this year. The 32 girls, who Mosen said "add colour and theatre", would be competing for the new title of Miss Grid Girl and the top three would win the chance to award prizes to the top drivers.

Other additions by the Australian-based promoters include concerts by international rock acts ZZ Top and Good Charlotte, extra races, children's activities and a fun run around the track. The measures are to re-ignite the event after it struck financial difficulties. The original promoters, Caleta Street Management, were dropped last April and V8 Supercars took over. Hamilton's new mayor Julie Hardaker has revealed the council had spent more than $27 million over three years, triple the budget.