Well we all know that my heart belongs to the drifting industry and it’s very rare that a V8 event catches my eye; but I’ll be the first to admit that the Gold Coast 600 is one event that any car enthusiast should not miss. I attended the nationwide event for the first time last year and couldn’t stay away this year; I loved it both times.
The 3 day event ran over the 21st to the 23rd of October and had the V8 supercars racing from 6am until 5pm each day. You just can’t beat the atmosphere of this event; the track itself is spread along the popular esplanade between Main Beach and Surfers Paradise; with 600kms around the street circuit its becoming one of the most electrifying motorsport events out there.
A huge excitement this year however I had friends staying in a track view apartment in Surfers Paradise; it was amazing! I was able to join them for the day on Friday and it was so relaxing to sit on the balcony with a drink, surrounded by beaches and palm trees with the V8s racing around below you. This is definitely something I will be organising to do myself next year; you just couldn’t compare it to anything else.
The V8 supercars are so unique to watch; they are such big heavy cars with so much power and you could hear them roaring around the track suburbs away! The championship fight brought out some great battles with all the big names on track like Craig Lowndes James Moffat, Mark Winterbottom, Alex Tagliani and Jamie Whincup.
International driver Sebastien Bourdais teamed up with Jamie Whincup in the Team Vodafone who showed some brilliant driving over the weekend. Craig Lowndes (Team Vodafone also) watched his championship lead disappear on Saturday with an electrical problem; everything that could go wrong for this driver did. But he was back out on track Sunday fighting back for the pole position.
This is not a forgiving track with some high speed spin outs and bumpers coming flying off everywhere; there were so many close calls. It was such a great event to spectate.
Its not just a race track; its people coming to have fun and do great things! There wasn’t only the racing to see; off track entertainment was non-stop with promo girls, trade stalls, merchandise, the Stunz Inc team were there doing motorbike stunt demos, and they even incorporated a bit of drifting with pro driver Tony Harrison (50MAN) doing demos around the V8 Track during the breaks.
After the sun went down the concert started (The reason they call this event Rock and Race); I got to see Melbourne rapper Illy, Bagraiders, Techno DJ Tonight Only and The Potbelleez all preform live. You just can’t beat an event that provides you with a full day of racing & entertainment until late hours of the night.
I had a blast and can’t wait to go again next year.
As they say, are you ready for the glitz, are you ready for the glamour, are you ready for the ride of your life!
Drift Demo’s during the break by Tony Harrison (50MAN).
The V8 utes racing around the track.
Some of the high rise apartments that had dressed up to support their favourite teams.
Rocking crowd at the V8 super cars after party rock concert.
The V8 supercars going head to head in the heats.
The V8 utes lined up in Surfers Paradise.
My favourite act at the rock concert Melbourne rapper Illy was amazing.
James Courtney’s Toll Holden Racing Team Holden.
Steve Johnson’s Jim Beam Racing Ford.