Proposed format change could see Surfers Paradise Supercars race become the Gold Coast 500
THE GOLD Coast’s annual Supercars race looks likely to take on a bold new format which would totally transform the event
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THE GOLD Coast’s annual Supercars race could take on a bold new format if approved by the sport’s commission next week.
The Surfers Paradise event has been known as the Gold Coast 600, consisting of two 300km Supercars races since 2010, as will be seen next weekend.
However, in 2019 that could change to a single feature 500km race to fall into line with the event format used at Sandown, which is the other non-Bathurst endurance round.
That would mean the race is held on the Sunday, with Saturday action revolving around qualifying, support categories and concerts.
The Bulletin understands it would also mark the longest Supercars race on the Gold Coast in history.
Supercars chief executive Sean Seamer said the format change would help “provide the fans with some consistency across the enduro rounds”.
“You really get to see the co-drivers come into play a lot more,” Seamer explained of the added spectacle a 500km race would bring.
“And it means that for someone sitting at home who watches the Sandown race and then they watch the Gold Coast race – well next year it will be Gold Coast then Sandown – it’s exactly the same format which makes it a lot easier to follow.
“Keep in mind also that through the year if we learn things, we’re agile and we’ll make changes if we think it will improve the experience.”
The news comes as Supercars unveiled its 2019 calendar, with the season starting in Adelaide on February 28 to March 3 and concluding in November at Newcastle.
Among the main talking points are the transformation of Perth to become a night race and the omission of Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP), which hosted a night race in August.
SMSP is expected to return to the schedule the following year to pave the way for two 2020 events under lights. The Eastern Creek circuit is chasing permanent lighting to help secure a long-term night race contract.
The Sandown and Auckland events will also swap places on the calendar.
Next year’s Gold Coast event will take place on October 25-27.
SUPERCARS 2019 CALENDAR
February 13-14: Test day at Ipswich/Phillip Island
February 28-Mar 3: Adelaide 500
March 14-17: Melbourne 400 (Formula One Australian Grand Prix)
April 5-7: Tasmania SuperSprint
April 12-14: Phillip Island SuperSprint
May 2-4: Perth SuperNight
May 24-26: Winton SuperSprint
June 14-16: Darwin SuperSprint
July 5-7: Townsville 400
July 26-28: Ipswich SuperSprint
August 23-25: Tailem Bend SuperSprint
September 13-15: Auckland SuperSprint
October 10-13: Bathurst 1000
October 25-27: Gold Coast 500 (format TBC)
November 8-10: Sandown 500
November 23-24: Newcastle 500
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