Burnie now boasts richest wheelraces in Tasmania

A $1000 bonus is on offer to any Tasmanian cyclist who wins the men's or women's Burnie Wheel, such is the overwhelming support from local businesses to next month's event.

LIFE'S A CARNIVAL: At the launch of the 2015 Burnie New Year's Day sports carnival last night are carnival promoter John Craven, club vice-president Allan Johnson and SCAT president Mike Gunson. Picture: Stuart Wilson.

The Burnie New Year's Day Carnival was officially launched last night at The Point, West Park, with organisers singing the praises of sponsors that are attempting to help return it to its iconic status among the Fulton Hogan Christmas Carnival series.

Despite running at a loss earlier this year due to poor weather leading to the cancellation of the cycling program, the Burnie Athletic Club has been able to obtain more than $55,000 in sponsorship for prizemoney after being handed back the carnival from Burnie Sports and Events.

BAC president Bruce Jackson said next month's 128th edition on January 1 would be the first fully-sponsored running for a number of years.

Jackson said the carnival, which was named 2011 Australian sports carnival of the year, was a "made in Burnie" event and the club was strongly promoting the "City of Makers" theme which formed a major part of its sponsorship campaign.

"It's obviously struck a chord with many sponsors because the response has been nothing but positive," Jackson said.

"Due to the level of sponsorship we've received, we are also able to offer a $1000 bonus to a resident Tasmanian cyclist, male or female, who wins the Burnie Wheel.

"This makes the respective events the richest wheelraces in Tasmania."

The wheelrace finals will form part of the power program between 7-9pm, which will include 20 action-packed finals, including the iconic Burnie men's Gift, that has a total prize pool of $12,000.