Event motoring towards record crowds

IT’S the question that ricochets around the city every year in the lead-up to Gold Coast 600 race weekend.

Is this the year the event will finally crack the magic 200,000 attendance mark?

Last year’s race weekend was on track to finally pass the 200,000 post when wet weather smashed Sunday walk-up sales and saw the 2018 event crowd come in at 186,259.

“We are at times at the mercy of mother nature and events such as the Gold Coast 600 do capitalise on our sunshine,” Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said.

“Offering great on and off the track entertainment and affordable tickets are certainly key to boosting attendance.

“Destination Gold Coast has supported the event with marketing assistance and we are working with the Gold Coast 600 team to continue to make it a great success.”

Punters were able to buy tickets to the 600 Sounds concerts at Broadwater Parklands at the gate for the first time last year — a move that helped boost overall race attendance.

Race organisers say cracking the 200,000 mark isn’t their focus, but ticket sales and weather forecasts indicate the 2018 event might get there yet.

Ms Battista said the GC600 was already a driver for interstate visitors, with more than 10 per cent of ticketholders coming from outside Queensland, and has potential to expand its international appeal.

“There is certainly an opportunity to promote the event in markets including Asia and that would be reliant on collaboration from all stakeholders,” she said.