V8 Supercars a “done deal” for Gosford before council pulled out

SUPERCARS boss James Warburton has revealed the V8 Supercars season ending race was a “done deal” for Gosford before the Central Coast Council cancelled its bid.

The V8 Supercars season ending race could have been held in Gosford. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

THE V8 Supercars series finale­ was more of a “done deal” for Gosford than people­ think.

At a business lunch in Newcastle last week, Supercars boss James Warburton said the season ending race was to be held in Gosford before­ the Central Coast Council pulled out due to troubles around the “major” Brian McGowan bridge.

“What’s not known a lot is that we were going to Gosford. We were in Gosford and the deal was done,” Mr Warburton said.

The event, to be held in Newcastle next month, would have attracted people from across Australia.

Supercars boss James Warburton said Gosford was a “done deal” for the race.

The council cancelled its bid last July citing traffic disruption and significant costs. At the time, former chief executive officer Rob Noble said “the numbers simply did not stack up.”

“On paper this looks like a fabulous opportunity for the Coast. Then you drill down and realise we would have to close one of the main arterial roads on the Coast for more than four days,” he said.

Gosford/Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce president Alison Vidler said it was a missed opportunity.

“It would have been fantastic for the business community,” she said.

“But we just have to move on and focus on what needs to be done now.”

Gosford/Erina and Coastal Chamber of Commerce president Alison Vidler

Central Coast Council Mayor Jane Smith said she supported the council’s decision to pull out of the race.

She said council was still keen to attract major events that bring more tourism and investment dollars.

“The events themselves must integrate with our natural environment and have wide appeal so that our own community can experience events on their doorstop that they might otherwise have to travel to see,” she said.

Supercars Australia corporate affairs general manager Cole Hitchcock confirmed the council pulled out due to “access issues­” relating to the Brian McGowan bridge.

“My understanding is we couldn’t get permission to run the race across the bridge,” he said.

“The race was definitely going to be held in Gosford until the hurdle came into place around the bridge and circuit layout. It was unfortunate.”