In Newcastle you don’t have to be a local to feel the love, you just have to share the community’s passion for hard work, good ethics and strong values.
Just ask Supercars driver 23-year-old Todd Hazelwood who last year took out the Dunlop Super2 Series championship in Newcastle as part of the Supercars Newcastle 500 event.
This year, the Adelaide local will graduate to the top level of racing and Hamilton hotelier Stephen Hunt couldn't be prouder.
“I originally met Todd four years ago through a local friend Dean Rothafel, who works in the motor vehicle industry here in Newcastle and I just knew right away that he was a good kid,” Stephen said.
“It wasn’t so much about sponsorship or being commercial that made me want to help him, but the fact that he comes from a close family, he does pretty much all the work himself, and has a lot of integrity.
"They are the kinds of values that I share and the kind of ethics that reflect the sentiment of Newcastle and most Novocastrians, so I really just wanted to help out.”
“It wasn’t so much about sponsorship or being commercial that made me want to help him, but the fact that he comes from a close family, he does pretty much all the work himself, and has a lot of integrity. They are the kinds of values that I share and the kind of ethics that reflect the sentiment of Newcastle and most Novocastrians, so I really just wanted to help out...”
Following on from last year's support, a number of Stephen's venues including The Kent Bar & Grill, Lakeside Village Tavern and Ocean View Hotel on the mid north coast, will once again sponsor car 35, belonging to Todd Hazelwood.
"I don't expect a big commercial flow on effect from the sponsorship or having our logos on the car, but it's great to see our venues name out there and I get a great deal of joy from knowing I can lend a hand to such a good kid," Stephen said.
For the past 10 years, Stephen has also been a sponsor and supporter of the NSW Variety Bash, an initiative that allows children impacted by illness to receive the care and equipment they need to ensure the best opportunities in life.
“I just think it’s important to lend a hand wherever you can,” he said.
“It’s the right thing to do.”
The Kent Hotel & Grill will also open it's upstairs veranda next Thursday, 22 November for the Hamilton Super Start Up event which will include a driver meet & greet session in Gregson Park before a driver lap down Beaumont Street from 6pm.