Tony Cochrane – V8 Supercars Australia Chairman – is on record saying that the Armor All Gold Coast 600 is the ‘party the Gold Coast has to have’, and that party officially started today.
Construction has begun on the famous Gold Coast street circuit some five weeks later than usual, a deliberate move to substantially decrease the build time of the shortened layout.
The first overhead bridge crossing the Gold Coast Highway was installed this morning, and proudly displays the catch phrase ‘Get the party started’ to Gold Coast travelers as the countdown to the October 22-24 event continues.
Mr Cochrane said the 20th running of the Gold Coast event would inject a badly needed lift for the local economy and give the city the opportunity to let down its hair across three days of racing and three nights of world class entertainment.
Some of the world’s greatest racing stars will converge on the Gold Coast along with one of the best lineups of music talent including the Ian Carey, the Beach Boys, Empire of the Sun and Sneaky Sound System amongst 16 massive acts.
“We are now less than 40 days out from this event, and I cannot encourage the Gold Coast enough to come out and play at this event – it is the party that the Gold Coast has to have,” said Cochrane.
“This event creates jobs, it injects millions of dollars into the local economy and business and it brings people here to the Gold Coast, and given the recent economic times it is now more important than ever that the people of the Gold Coast get behind this event.
“We have 16 Australian and international bands lined up for 600 Sounds presented by Hard Rock including music legends the Beach Boys, and 18 of the world’s greatest drivers teaming up with our home-grown heroes making a massive three days of racing and three huge nights of rocking.”
The Armor All Gold Coast 600, in a continuance of V8 Supercar’s highly successful Rock N Race format, will see the Gold Coast treated to non-stop entertainment over the three days and nights of October 22-24.
Each day will see 18 international stars paired with the 29 home-grown heroes of the V8 Supercar Series taking to the concrete jungle of the Gold Coast street circuit, with the skills of these drivers – some of the best in the world – to truly be put to the test by the Aussie V8 Supercar machines and their unique style.
When the checkered flag has flown at the end of each day, 600 Sounds presented by Hard Rock will fire up each night at the Broadwater Parklands entertainment precinct, bringing together a wide range of musical acts across a whole range of genres.
“This is a totally unique concept – where else will you see these kinds of drivers, musical acts and all round entertainment all together?” said Cochrane.
“We are talking about drivers like former Formula One World Champion Jacques Villeneuve, three time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves, North America’s most successful road course racer and 1997 Gold Coast winner Scott Pruett and Indy 500 winner, Gold coast winner and reigning IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti just to mention a few.
“Line those guys up against our V8 Supercar heroes and then look at music from acts like the Beach Boys, Baby Animals, Ian Carey, Empire of the Sun, Sneaky Sound System and the Potbelleez, and then take into account that a three day ticket is just $136 – if you are going to party once this year this is the event to do it!”
Today’s bridge completion comes five weeks later than in previous years, with the revised track layout meaning that the build time for the street circuit has been dramatically reduced, leaving far less impact on Gold Coast commuters.
“We are just now beginning construction whereas in previous years we would have been standing here in the middle of August,” said Cochrane.
“The track changes provide less disruption as we prepare for the Gold Coast’s biggest party, and also give the fans increased opportunities to see V8 Supercars in action, better racing and more passing opportunities.
“As a three day event, there will also be a reduced affect on traffic during the week of the race, with less road closures, especially around the Main Beach area which will now be open to all traffic with a two hour parking limit in effect.”
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will take place on the streets of the Gold Coast from Friday October 22 to Sunday October 24, with less than 40 days now remaining until Queensland’s premier motorsport event comes to life.
The event will feature 18 international drivers alongside the V8 Supercar stars by day, and 16 International and Australian acts by night, in a continuance of V8 Supercars’ highly successful Rock ‘n’ Race format.
Tickets are now on sale for the Armor All Gold Coast 600, with Friday admission tickets starting from just $49 and three day passes from just $136, with each ticket providing admission to not only the day’s racing but also the same night’s entertainment line-up at 600 Sounds. Visit ticketek.com.au or call 132 849 for more information or to purchase.
Related:
HARD ROCK PRESENTS 600 SOUNDS TO THE GOLD COAST
The Beach Boys to Headline 600 Sounds Music Festival!
TRAFFIC INFORMATION – ARMOR ALL GOLD COAST 600
Changes to Traffic
There will be a number of short-term road closures over the construction period, the majority being early in the morning or late at night to minimize public disturbance. Road closures have been designed to reduce the impact of Event construction to local vehicle traffic by completing sections of road at a time where possible and reopening again as quickly as possible for the resumption of traffic.
Bus stops affected by the Event construction will be clearly marked to show alternate stops and routes.
The speed limit will be reduced for the implementation of track infrastructure to 50km/h from 13 September to 13 November with further reductions down to 40km/h in specified construction areas for the safety of both public and construction personnel.
29 September – Surfers Paradise
Wednesday 29 September traffic conditions will be changed, from the Gold Coast highway southbound from Surfers Paradise Boulevard down to Ocean Avenue will become a one way system.
Anyone wishing to travel northbound should use the Gold Coast Highway or The Esplanade – refer to enclosed diagram for further information.
17 October – Ferny Avenue (Gold Coast Highway)
Sunday 17 October an Emergency / Bus lane will be installed from Monaco Street to the Marriott Hotel.
Wednesday 20 October to Monday 25 October
Gold Coast Highway southbound from Tedder Avenue to Ferny Avenue will be closed; traffic will be diverted onto the northbound lanes at Tedder. The Gold Coast Highway will operate as a two way system inclusive of an emergency lane.
Changed traffic conditions will be in place on The Esplanade northbound at Staghorn Avenue and Surfers Paradise Boulevard at Cypress Avenue with access north to Staghorn limited to local traffic only. Refer to the map.
Parking control signs in Ocean Avenue and Pacific Street will be enforced from Wednesday 20 to Monday 25 October. In all other affected areas parking control will be enforced from Friday 22 to Monday 25 October.
Cronin Avenue and Aloha Lane, Main Beach will be changed to one way traffic flow eastbound and Breaker Street changed to one way traffic flow westbound from Wednesday 20 to Monday 25 October.
Traffic within the track precinct will switch to one-way travelling in an anti-clockwise direction with speed reduced to 40km/h which will be enforced by the Queensland Police.
Parking Restrictions
In the event precinct and in areas adjoining the event precinct parking restrictions will be enforced including temporary parking restrictions with 2P limit. No transit passes will be required.
Paradise Waters
Paradise Waters access will be for local traffic only and residents and businesses will be issued with passes.
For more information on the event and updated traffic information, please visit www.goldcoast600.com.au