Supercars Gold Coast GC600: Night plan for the GC600 V8 races in Surfers

A radical shake-up is planned for the Gold Coast’s premier motorsport race weekend, which has already seen Miss Supercars axed. Talks are underway to light up the V8s weekend - literally.

ORGANISERS of the big Supercars weekend on the Gold Coast are looking at holding the racing at night under lights in a radical shake-up.

A revved up twilight GC600 is the subject of ongoing talks between Supercars and relevant authorities with multiple sources telling the Bulletin it is being pencilled in for 2020.

“It is pretty high on the priority list,” one source said.

It is no secret Supercars is keen to look at more of its national circuit getting lit, with successful night races already staged in Sydney and Perth at dedicated motorsport tracks.

Crowds and viewership are understood to have been up for the night races.

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Night racing is a fixture in Abu Dhabi with its Grand Prix stop at night. Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Aston Martin Red Bull Racing RB14 TAG Heuer on track during practice for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 23, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)

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The GC600 would become the first night time street race in the country if it gets a green light.

A Supercars statement to the Bulletin last night said: “We are developing the (2020) calendar and formats for next year, including twilight and night racing which are to be confirmed.”

Asked for his opinion, Gold Coast motorsport veteran and Bathurst winner Paul Morris said he was “100 per cent” supportive of a GC600 in the evening: “It would be great, we need to bring the party back.

“What you have too with Surfers Paradise is the lights are already there, it would not be too hard to light it up.

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Singapore also has a Grand Prix at night. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

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“Our biggest point of difference with that race is it’s a party event,” Mr Morris said.

“You will get some people who won’t like it but it is two or three nights a year — go on holiday. If you find it’s that bad, leave town for the weekend.”

One event source said it would follow in the footsteps of the Singapore and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix races held at night offering “an awesome atmosphere”.

“It becomes this night time thing and it becomes really exciting — you look at Singapore and Abu Dhabi and it is so exciting at night.”

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Paul Morris on a GC600 held at night under lights: “Bring the party back.”

Another source said any move to hold night racing could also involving shifting the associated GC600 concert events — traditionally held at Broadwater Parklands — to within the race precinct.

A successful Supercars night race at Sydney Motorsport Park last year was a first for Supercars and the first under lights in 21 years in Australia.

It has been followed by the NSW Government in February pumping $33 million into the venue for permanent lights and other infrastructure.

Supercars CEO Sean Seamer at the GC600 in Surfers Paradise last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

At the time, Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said: “The 2018 night race was a fantastic proof of concept.”

Last month, the Bulletin revealed Supercars was no longer endorsing the Miss Supercars contest during the GC600, focusing instead on a junior driver and engineers development pathway for boys and girls.