GC500: Push to shake-up Gold Coast 500 race for 2023 event
The return of GC500 to the streets of Surfers Paradise has been hailed as a major success, with the push now on to make next year’s event bigger and better. SEE THE PLANS
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THE RETURN of GC500 to the streets of Surfers Paradise has been hailed as a major success, with the push now on to make next year’s event bigger and better.
More than 200,000 people packed into Main Beach and Surfers Paradise over the weekend for three days of on-track Supercars action, aerial displays and musical excitement in the first race held since 2019.
Businesses and hotel operators are overjoyed, with picture-perfect race weather, and off-track entertainment helping to bring more than $50m pouring into coffers.
Now, with the race locked in for another three years, city and business bosses want to see it expanded to lure in more tourists and deliver a greater bang for our economic buck.
Mayor Tom Tate, who handed out the trophies on Sunday afternoon vowed the 2022 race was the beginning of a new era, with the city looking to invest in more events and a ramped up program for 2023 to ensure it will be an even bigger drawcard.
“We wanted to start with a bang to remind everyone of the excitement which is family friendly and it has delivered non-stop entertainment, so punters like myself are going to need to sleep for three days Sunday,” he said.
‘This is the beginning of a new era and now that everyone has been signed for another few years, it gives us greater certainty for planning and delivery.
“Having an additional day of racing would be nice because people can stay for an additional night and bring back the military jets because they are always intriguing.
“I think this year was still a watch-and-see for the rest of Australia but now they have seen what they missed out on, I think they will be desperate to come here next year.”
The Mayor, who watched on as 11 supercars were involved in a fiery crash on one of the beach chicanes yesterday afternoon said the unpredictable nature of motorsports made it an appealing drawcard.
“The streets of Surfers Paradise are iconic for their racing and that’s the great thing about the racing – one mistake and it’s carnage but that creates a great atmosphere.”
Asked about Mayor Tate’s enthusiasm for a return to a four-day racing event as was the case back in the days of the Indy open-wheelers, Supercars CEO Shane Howard said: “I would like Tom’s energy. He has enormous energy. We’d never say four days is off the table but we have a lot to consider there with the closure period.”
As for this weekend’s event, Mr Howard said Supercars could not be happier with the weather, numbers and amount of “happy people” enjoying it.
“It sets us up for the future. The pictures that go out to the world from this event shine a light on the place.”
About 7000 corporates were hosted in lounges.
This year’s race also coincided with the weekend’s Groundwater Country Music Festival at Broadbeach.
The Bulletin understands meetings will be held in coming weeks to assess GC500’s success and what, if any changes will be made to the calendar for 2023.
Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce president Martin Hall said traders up and down the coastline were delighted by the boost.
“The feedback we have is that we are back on track but that we need to upgrade that experience to extend the time visitors are staying here,” he said.
“The Star was absolutely heaving in a way I haven’t seen in a long time and people are not just staying in one place, they are sprawling out into the street and it is great to see the city pumping again.
“We have this mega event city status but we have to take it seriously and fill every void we can with complementary events.”
CROWD’S JOY AT SUPERCARS RETURN TO THE GOLD COAST
THE thrilling on-track action at the 2022 Gold Coast 500 was matched by palpable excitement as huge crowds celebrated the beloved event’s return.
Thousands of motorsports fans descended on the Surfers Paradise circuit at the weekend for the three-day event, which made its long-awaited comeback after two years of Covid cancellations.
It was a return that could not come soon enough for Paul Temelkarski and Sacho Noreski, who together with mates David Cretkarski and Stephen Camerlengo had travelled from across the country for this year’s GC500.
They said the event had been a staple in their calendar since it was the Gold Coast Indy Grand Prix and it was only getting better with age.
“It’s come back bigger and better this year – there’s that appetite for people to mingle and get out together,” Mr Noreski said.
“The racing quality is always good. It doesn’t matter where around the country you go, the Supercars always put on a good show,” Mr Temelkarski added.
“The street circuit makes it so exciting. It’s an event you wouldn’t want to lose.”
Long-term Coast residents Jane and Hal Rice said the GC500 brought a supercharged atmosphere to the region and a welcome cash boost to its tourism sector and economy.
“It’s an amazing spectacle and it showcases the Gold Coast. Obviously it focuses on motorsport, but it brings so much else to the community too,” Mr Rice said.
“It can be a bit of a hassle for some with the road closures, but it’s worth it to have this sort of spectacle.
“You can’t have this sort of event without a bit of pain.”
The brilliant sunshine and warm weather was a welcome relief for organisers and spectators alike, after heavy rainfall drenched the Gold Coast only days earlier.
Summery conditions were only the icing on the cake for devoted Red Bull Racing and GC500 fans David Bice and Peter Gresham, who said they spent as much of their weekend as possible trackside.
“We’re actually staying right on the course as well this year, so it’s awesome,” Mr Bice said.
“Watching (Red Bull’s Shane) van Gisbergen win (on Saturday) was a highlight for us for sure,” Mr Gresham said.
“We’ll definitely be back next year.”
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