Gold Coast 600: Macintosh Island to host 2021 Supercars Grand Finale

For the first time in Series history the season’s Supercars champion will be officially crowned on Macintosh Island in a date change to supercharge the Gold Coast event.

Shane van Gisbergen drives the Red Bull Holden Racing Team Holden to victory in Race 27 of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship round at the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Sunday, October 27, 2019. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

• REVEALED: Gold Coast’s 10 most dangerous suburbs
• High profile lawyer and girlfriend charged by CCC

THE Gold Coast 600 will return to the streets of Surfers Paradise one year from today as the blockbuster final leg of the 2021 V8 Supercars Championship Series.

For the first time in Series history the season’s Supercars champion will be officially crowned on Macintosh Island.

A frenetic conclusion to the 2021 Series will begin on Friday December 3 before chequered flags are waved on Sunday December 5.

Gold Coast City Council Mayor Tom Tate said the return of the GC600 was sure to be memorable after the event was cancelled in 2020.

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team car driven Shane Van Gisbergen and Garth Tander in action during a qualifying session on Day Three of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship round at the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast, Sunday, October 27, 2019. Picture: Jerad Williams

“What a classic three-day carnival it will be with the Gold Coast to host the finale of the supercar season,’” Mr Tate said.

“Only on the Gold Coast will spectators see the final race to the championship flag.

“Given the pressure on teams to win the crown, it’ll be one hell of a race weekend in December.”

Queensland Minister for Tourism and Minister for Sport Stirling Hinchliffe said Queensland motorsport fans were looking forward to a double dose of Supercars in 2021 with the event in Townsville.

“The Supercars championship is a much-loved celebration in Queensland of motorsport rivalries, precision driving and excellence in automotive engineering,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“A mid-season event in Townsville and the 2021 finale on the Gold Coast will deliver a double dose of Supercars in Queensland, set among some of Australia’s best motor racing back drops.

“For southern motorsport enthusiasts, the Supercars championship is without hesitation the perfect way to kick-off a Queensland getaway.”

The Gold Coast will be the 12th destination on the 2021 Supercars calendar, released today.

The Series will begin racing at the spiritual home of motorsport in Australia for the Mount Panorama 500 in late February.

V8 Supercars Driver Tim Slade and Driver Shane van Gisbergen . Picture Mike Batterham

The Bathurst 1000 has been scheduled for early October before the series reaches top gear at the decisive Gold Coast 600 in December.

Local champion Scott McLaughlin will not take part due to his commitments to NASCAR in the United States.

That will leave defending GC600 champion Jamie Whincup to take on McLaughlin’s replacement in Dick Johnson Racing’s famous No.17 car, Gold Coast-based Will Davison.