Gold Coast Castrol EDGE 600 the place to be on this sweltering October weekend

UPDATE: AN Adelaide stunner has been named the 2014 Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 Miss V8 Supercar.

6.15PM: ADELAIDE stunner Stella Badenoch has been named the Gold Coast 600’s 2014 Miss V8 Supercar.

The 20-year-old blonde competed for the title last year and came fourth, she said she was overwhelmed and surprised with the result.

Miss Gold Coast V8 winner is Stella Badenoch from Adelaide.

“I never really expected to win, it was just a bit of fun, but I am so happy,” she said.

In runner-up position was Sydney’s Cassandra Dimitriadis and second runner-up was the Gold Coast’s own Gemma Rose.

Meanwhile the poor drainage on the Surfers Paradise track is not expected to lead to a premature race end if the heavens open as forecast at some stage tomorrow afternoon.

The very nature of the street circuit means water does not escape quickly, particularly at the southern end of the main straight, but the show will go on regardless.

“We’ve never ever called a race off in the history of V8 Supercars,” race spokesman Cole Hitchcock said.

“If it does seriously hammer down for a sustained period of time and there are large puddles on the track the officials will look at it and make determinations accordingly but it’s highly unlikely.

“We’ve had serious rain many times in the past.

“The good part about it is it actually spices up the race and makes it more interesting.

“It’s only a forecast at this stage, it may not rain, but if it happens it happens.”

Roulettes fly over a cloudless Gold Coast sky before the V8 Supercars race at the GC600. Pic: Dean Johnson

5PM: NOW the racing action is over for the day the Gold Coast 600 after party is heating up, starting with the Miss V8 Supercar final at 600 Sounds Club.

The winner is expected to be announced in the next half an hour with finalists battling for the top spot at the official GC600 party zone now.

Miss V8 swimwear judging at the GC 600. Picture Mike Batterham

The 600 Sounds Club has been pumping all afternoon with Gold Coast Titans player Dave Taylor one of dozens grooving for former Miss V8 entrant turned DJ Brooke Evers.

The club was a great place to beat the heat with mist fans and beanbags under the shade of trees.

Some revellers had to be treated for heat stress during the day, but no major cases were reported.

The real after party will kick off soon at the Southport Broadwater Parklands where Hilltop Hoods and Little John will play on the Jim Beam 600 Sounds stage later tonight.

DJ Brooke Evers plays to the crowd at 600 Sounds Club. Pic: Kathleen Skene.

UPDATE: A SWEDISH race car driver, who also happens to be a crown prince, is a special guest at the GC600 this weekend.

Volvo Polestar Racing’s Carl Philip Bernadotte, Fredrik Ekblom and reigning STCC champion, Thed Bjork, were hosted by their Volvo-driving Australian counterparts, Scott McLaughlin and Robert Dahlgren of Valvoline GRM Racing.

Volvo Polestar Racing’s Carl Philip Bernadotte. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Australian visit follows a trip to Sweden this year by McLaughlin and Swedish-born Dahlgren.

In a V8 Supercars first, the V8 Supercars teammates drove a number of Polestar engineered cars in the north of Sweden, where they tested their skills in studded tyres on snow and across frozen lakes. They also took advantage of the conditions to drive specially-designed snowmobiles which have a top speed of 100km/hr.

For Dahlgren, the visit by Bernadotte, Ekblom and Bjork was a chance to reconnect with his motorsport past. The Swede, who hails from Skelleftea, drove in the Scandinavian Touring Car Championship until 2013, when he took third place.

Scott McLaughlin (L) driver of the #33 Valvoline Racing GRM Volvo speaks with reigning STCC champion, Thed Bjork and Volvo Polestar Racing’s Prince Carl Philip Bernadotte. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

EARLIER: THE fun and temperature is heating up in Surfers Paradise as the weekend crowds descend for the Castrol Edge GC600 today.

More than 180,000 fans are expected across the three-day event, which coincides with what could be one of the hottest October weekends on record.

Action during Day 2, Saturday of the GC 660 through the streets of Surfers Paradise. Pics Adam Head

The on-track fun kicked off this morning with a foot race around the beachside track, while the real action begins with V8 qualifying later this morning.

Trams are packed to capacity as fans avoid the roads.

Fans at the V8 track are already feeling the heat — Many 13, and Maddy, 17, Holmes, are selling ice creams and before 11am had already been selling almost one ice cream a minute.

All the action from the GC600 Saturday October 25 — Many and Maddy Holmes sell ice creams to hot racing fans. Pic: Kathleen Skene

The Ford Fanstand at Narrowneck Beach is a popular with the crowds, with fresh breezes from the ocean and one of the best trackside views.

Meanwhile police found themselves rescuing a car from the creek near Macintosh Island this morning ... an inflatable one that is.

Officers have so far praised the behaviour of revellers with tonight’s Gc600 Sounds event set to be the true test.

DJ Emily Scott entertains the crowd at the GC 600. Picture Mike Batterham

Daytime entertainment is underway in the Club 600 area, with the most popular feature on this sweltering day beanbags, placed under shady trees.

Northcliffe Sure Life Saving Club volunteer lifeguards Richard Bedford and Scott Oxenford are patrolling the small beach behind the stage, and said they will be happy if it stays quiet.

“We’re providing water safety for this part of the precinct,” Mr Bedford said.

Meanwhile Premier Campbell Newman has been in the pitlanes this morning and took the opportunity to have a hotlap with the Red Bull Racing team.

Premier Campbell Newman has walked the pitlanes and also gone for a hotlap in a V8 Supercar this morning. Pic: V8 Supercars

More to come as the event unfolds.