Deputy Mayor Donna Gates pans calls for Supercars to refresh GC500 saying they’ve done so

The Gold Coast Deputy Mayor has raised eyebrows with a bold speech at the launch party for the city’s premier motorsport event. FULL STORY

GOLD Coast Deputy Mayor Donna Gates has given a rev up to critics calling for a refresh of the annual GC500 Supercars motorsport weekend.

Ms Gates, speaking at the GC500’s glitzy launch party at Sheraton Mirage on Thursday night, told the crowd: “This is a signature event for our city and one we are very proud of.

“I’ve seen some media over the last couple of days and it suggested Supercars needed refreshing - and I just want to say what absolute rubbish. It’s nonsense.

“Supercars have done nothing but refresh.

“They have made this event more family friendly, they introduced entertainment to the precinct and activities,” she said.

“What makes it a stand out is 200,000 paying customers. Not all our events are paid events. I’m hoping in the next few weeks we can make an announcement about Supercars staying.

“Thank you for continuing to have this event in our city.”

GC500 CONCERT SERIES LINE UP

Donna Gates: “I’ve seen some media over the last couple of days and it suggested Supercars needed refreshing - and I just want to say what absolute rubbish. It’s nonsense.” Picture: Portia Large.

Her spray for critics comes after the Bulletin earlier this week quoted multiple city leaders calling for a revamp to ensure the appeal of the GC500 endures and stays relevant.

Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce board member Martin Hall had said it was “naturally time to have a look again at the offerings to drive tourism into the city to ensure it endures and is relevant as ever”.

Surfers Paradise MP John- Paul Langbroek said “it’s not at all a criticism of GC500 but (at one point) we were going to have night racing and races under lights but that just disappeared”.

For 2024’s instalment from October 25 to 27, Supercars are introducing drift car racing at twilight as well as a stellar rock band after-party line up.

Peking Duk, Jet, Spiderbait, Bag Rqaiders, Kingswood and DJ Total Eclipse are among the acts playing across Friday and Saturday night concerts.

GC AT LARGE DOES THE GC500 LAUNCH PARTY - SEE THE GALLERY

For the 2023 Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500, the Repco Supercars Championship took over Gold Coast’s Sundale Bridge with four Gen3 Supercars. Picture: Mark Horsbrough