Revved up at night
‘V8s must go even further’
THE MP for Surfers Paradise and a business lobby group are revved up about Supercars racing at night but want further changes to freshen up the event.
Supercars is looking at holding racing during the annual GC600 V8 weekend at night under lights, the Bulletin revealed yesterday.
But the Gold Coast Central Chamber of Commerce also wants the concert held for the GC600 to be moved to the Surfers Paradise beachfront.
Chamber president Martin Hall said a twilight rock act during the GC600 would add to the excitement and potentially increase audience numbers.
“Evening events, while potentially annoying for some residents, would win the support of most Gold Coasters and our visitors.
“However, what would make the event even better for traders is the concert and other entertainment activities be held at Surfers Paradise to activate the nightlife centre.
“In recent years with the concert being held at Broadwater Parklands, the clubs, pubs and restaurants in Surfers Paradise have not enjoyed the level of patronage that you would expect from a large-scale event such as the GC600,” he said.
“Moving the concert to Surfers Paradise would certainly help improve that aspect the event,” he said.
LNP Member for Surfers Paradise John-Paul Langbroek, who has previously called for a GC600 shake up, wants to see a new class of open-wheeler cars, saying holding the event at night will not be enough to keep people interested.
Mr Langbroek said twilight racing would “be a start” for rejuvenating the annual V8 race but further changes were also urgent.
Interest in Supercars had “peaked” and the stars of today didn’t have the same charisma as those from the 1990s, he said, citing Formula One World 1992 Champion Nigel Mansell.
“The whole weekend needs some sort of revamp, it’s important for the economy as the event injects $11 million into my electorate every October,” Mr Langbroek said.
“It needs a different class of cars as well, openwheeler racing.”
Mr Langbroek said open-wheeler cars would give drivers a chance to shine and interact with the crowd more.
“Night-time racing would be a point of difference, though it would need to consider local residents and couldn’t really go past 10 at night.
“My main concern is the local residents. Having the event at night will encourage different behaviour so we will have to consider alcohol consumption.”
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said Tourism and Events Queensland were leading negotiations with Supercars on the Government’s behalf and “in any new deal we expect a good return on taxpayer investment”.