Gold Coast may pounce after SA opts out of Supercars

THE Gold Coast could be set to snatch a new supercars event in 2021 after the South Australian government announced it would scrap their premier event, the Adelaide 500.

The biggest event on the calendar after the Bathurst 1000, SA revealed this week it plans not to renew the contract.

Since the announcement the Bulletin is aware of a number of Gold Coast advocates pushing to move the event to the Glitter Strip.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said she was aware of the situation and said the Gold Coast was the “logical place” to host the relocated race, which would inject tens of millions of dollars into the economy.

“We all know the Gold Coast boasts the best street circuit in the world with epic views of our coastline and streetscape,” she said.

“With so many accommodation options, restaurants and bars, the Gold Coast is the logical place to host the grand final and Supercars end-ofseason awards.

“We know events like this drive visitors and support local business and jobs.”

CEO of Super Cars Australia and Gold Coast local Shane Howard would not confirm if there were any back-up plans in place to shift the Adelaide even up north or combine it with the existing Gold Coast 600.

The local supercars event the Gold Coast 600, which was meant to take place in October was cancelled for 2020 due to the pandemic.

“The Gold Coast events are important to the local economy, and we run them well,” he said.

“In a COVID environment we will do everything possible to ensure events happening here go ahead.”