Thousands brave heat to flock to Gold Coast 600 and give event best crowds in five years

THE Gold Coast 600 has cemented its place as Queensland’s largest event after drawing 184,732 people through the gates over three days.

GC600 Sunday action

THE Gold Coast 600 has cemented its place as Queensland’s largest event after drawing 184,732 people through the gates over three days.

The high attendance figures were released by an exhausted, but upbeat V8 Supercars boss James Warburton this afternoon.

Last year just 175,238 people went through the gates but this year’s record signalled a resurgence, with the figure the best in five years.

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Mr Warburton pointed to the light rail and recent Bathurst success to explain the strong numbers.

“It has been the easiest year to get here, there is no doubt about that,” he said, referring to the G: Link system that dropped V8 fans at the gates.

Fans pour out of the G: Link trams on their way to the Gold Coast 600. Picture: David Clark

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey was among the crowd today.

She commended V8 organisers and sponsors for the successful event, saying the race had given tourism operators and other businesses on the Gold Coast a real boost.

Redfoo acknowledges the fans at the Gold Coast 600.

Celebrities including singer Redfoo, footballer Sam Burgess and country music star Troy Cassar-Daley headed to Club 600 to get their share of the thrills.

The Roulettes were again a popular drawcard, with their appearance over the weekend after a four-year hiatus one of the highlights of the carnival for fans.

The RAAF Roulettes were a favourite of fans over the weekend. Picture: David Clark