2020 INDY VISION EXCLUSIVE: Premier wants open-wheelers to return to Surfers
Palaszczuk’s bid to lure lucrative open-wheelers
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk wants IndyCars back on the streets of Surfers Paradise in 2020.
Ms Palaszczuk has invited IndyCar CEO Mark Miles to the Gold Coast for talks on reinstating the open-wheelers. If her bid is successful the race will likely be held in February.
IndyCars were a hit on the Gold Coast for 17 years but left in 2008.
The Premier said the racing series would bring larger crowds, international fans and huge financial investment into the city.
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched an ambitious bid to bring IndyCars back to the Gold Coast in 2020.
Ms Palaszczuk has invited IndyCar CEO Mark Miles to the Gold Coast for talks on reinstating the open-wheelers.
The Premier said the racing series, which attracts millions of viewers, would bring larger crowds, international fans and huge investment into the Gold Coast.
Ms Palaszczuk yesterday met Australian champion IndyCar driver Will Power to discuss the idea.
She said Power was enthusiastic about the proposal and would also speak to IndyCar bosses about a 2020 Gold Coast revival.
IndyCars were part of racing on the Gold Coast for 17 years, last tearing around the Surfers Paradise/Main Beach street circuit in 2008.
Ms Palaszczuk said she remembered the buzz the race brought to the city.
“I used to go to Indy,” she said. “I can remember the tens of thousands of people that would go to Indy, it brought a lot of investment into the city and a huge entourage of fans from Southeast Asia and North America.”
Ms Palaszczuk said it was too soon to discuss funding, but revealed if her bid was successful the race would probably be held in February.
“It’s early days but it would be wonderful if we can get this signature event back in Australia and I’d love to hear what Gold Coasters think,” she said.
Queensland-born Power said he was determined to bring the event home.
“I’ve won on pretty much every single track I’ve raced on in an IndyCar and the Gold Coast is the only one I never got to win,” he said.
“It would be absolutely unbelievable if it came back.”
The IndyCar series is raced entirely in the United States and Canada, but organisers are looking to expand internationally.
Veteran Glitter Strip restaurateurs still fondly recall the golden days of IndyCars and the boost it gave business.
Michael Fusco, owner of Surfers Paradise Italian restaurant Costa D’Oro, said IndyCars were a “lot better” for turnover: “Trade was 100 per cent better – double what we take now. In the Indy days we used to earn a month’s average takings in a week.”
Mr Fusco said Supercars two weeks ago resulted in about a 15 to 20 per cent bump in trade on a normal weekend.
“Indy was all international people and they spend a lot more. There was no budget – they would come in and order lots of beers and wines. The Supercars crowd are on a budget but you can’t blame them – their grand final is Bathurst.”
Main Beach’s Domanis owner Neil Fisher said the Indy crowd resulted in a “much bigger spend for sure”.
“We used to charge $125 a head for a three-course meal and fill the place.”
Surfers Paradise Licensed Venues Association president Tim Martin – who is general manager of Surfers nightspots The Bedroom, Sin City and Havana – said there was “no comparison” between IndyCars and Supercars when it came to custom.
“There is nowhere near the revenue of Indy days – it was four days packed from early evening with lines up the road every night and clubs trading strong until 7am.”