COASTER IN THE SUPERCARS DRIVING SEAT

A GOLD Coaster is in the driver’s seat at Supercars and he’s detailed what fans can expect at the GC500 in the coming years.

Supercars has appointed long-serving chief operating officer Shane Howard to replace CEO Sean Seamer just in time to bring the sport back to his hometown.

After 10-plus years under John Howe at the Gold Coast Indy – with open-wheelers before its demise in 2008 – Mr Howard was hand-picked by Supercars founder Tony Cochrane to head up Supercars’ events in 2001.

Mr Howard (pictured) has spent nearly 20 years within Supercars management and said he’d served a long apprenticeship.

“Over that time, I have worked with some of the most incredible minds in sport and entertainment who have helped us grow the organisation to where it is today – one of Australia’s most popular sports,” Mr Howard said.

He starts in his new role from February 1, prior to the opening round of the Supercars Championship in Newcastle on March 4.

The Gold Coast 500 will return October 28-30 for the first time since 2019, due to Covid.

Mr Howard said fans could expect Gen3 race cars – prototype Mustangs and Camaros – on the Gold Coast at the 2023 event but would have to wait longer for night racing to hit the GC500.

“I’ve been involved in the Gold Coast race for over 30 years and look forward to delivering a major event that has all the entertainment on and off track,” he said. “The Gold Coast race would be perfectly suited for night racing. When you look at Singapore on the Formula One circuit, the cars look great at night and it brings a different feel.

“We had to adapt that idea because the government had to put their effort into dealing with Covid, but when the time’s right we’ll look at that opportunity again.”