V8 Supercars bosses have promised there will be more fun, more girls and more of a party than ever when the Armor All Gold Coast 600 rolls into town October 21-23. The event, which combines Australasia’s 28 V8 Supercars heroes with international drivers from 12 countries, along with the nightly 600 Sounds concert Series – is known as South East Queensland’s biggest event and it promises to be all that and more in two weeks’ time.

“We’re absolutely committed to ensuring the Armor All Gold Coast 600 retains everything that it’s become famous for,” said V8 Supercars Acting CEO, Shane Howard. “Every team will have their grid girls and promotional staff on hand as with every one of our events – they are synonymous with motorsport around the world.

“There’s been a little mischievous media created by people that are no longer involved in the Gold Coast event, which has been putting some very misleading and above all – incorrect – information out there.

“We haven’t turned our back on the grid girls. With our partner, Chill Milk we have introduced a fantastic new competition and they are named the Chillettes, which has evolved the grid girl concept into a high level competition.

“The girls are competing for $80,000 in cash and prizes and have to model in various outfits throughout the weekend as well as being ambassadors for the event and V8 Supercars.”

Adding to the Chillettes will be the implementation of the ‘Embrace the Race’ competition – where fans have the opportunity to win $5,000 on both Saturday and Sunday of the event.

All they have to do is dress up, register their group at the Sea FM stage and have their photograph taken. Howard encourages fans to go ‘all out’ to win the $5k bounty:

“The Gold Coast event is one of the most colourful in world motorsport. There are plenty of passionate fans that come to this event – we can’t wait to see what outfits the fans can come up with,” he said.

“If there is one party of the year then this is it.”

Prominent Gold Coast team principal, Paul Morris has seen the Gold Coast event evolve over it’s 21 years and welcomes the new competition:

“I think it’s great,” said Morris. “You always have to try new things to keep it fresh, you would never get rid of grid girls on the Gold Coast – they are part and parcel of our event – I for one would be kicking up a stink if they did ban grid girls!”

Morris – who will welcome former F1 star Jan Magnussen and NASCAR hard man Boris Said to his Supercheap Auto and V.I.P. Petfoods Commodores respectively will have his own girls on hand during the weekend.

“Of course we’ll have our girls there,” added Morris. “They are important to the brands that we represent and as we’ve shown throughout the years, really help us connect the sponsor to the race team.”

Aside from the Chillettes – that will perform daily – the on-track Armor All Gold Coast 600 action includes Porsche Carrera Cup, the historic Touring Car Masters, and the Australian Formula Ford Championship.

The evening concerts are headlined by international rock legends, Simple Minds. Playing on Friday night in the concert presented by Sea FM will be Bliss N Eso, along with The Potbelleez, Bag Raiders, Drapht and Illy.

Saturday’s 600 Sounds – presented by Gold FM will see Simple Minds joined by the Hoodoo Gurus, Eskimo Joe and Masters Apprentices.

Tickets to the very heavily grid girl populated Armor All Gold Coast 600 – October 21-23 – are available from Ticketek.com or 132 849 from $136 for a three day pass – which includes nightly concert entry.

WHAT IS THE ARMOR ALL GOLD COAST 600?

The Armor All Gold Coast 600 is South East Queensland’s biggest annual event and represents the third endurance race on the V8 Supercars calendar. Fresh from the Supercheap Auto 1000 at Bathurst, the 28 V8 Supercars drivers are partnered with an international star. Racers from Formula 1, IndyCar, Sports Car, Touring Car and NASCAR will be on hand in 2011 for the event –October 21-23. The V8 Supercars will be supported by Porsche Carrera Cup, the V8 Utes, Touring Car Masters and Formula Ford.

WHAT IS 600 SOUNDS, PRESENTED BY SEA FM?

600 Sounds is the nightly concert component of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 Rock ‘N’ Race format. In 2011, Aussie HipHop stars Bliss N Eso lead the charge on Friday night – presented by SEA FM, whilst legendary Scottish rockers, Simple Minds will make the only Australian appearance of their world tour on Saturday night – and are proudly presented by Gold FM. The Friday night concert also includes The Potbelleez, Drapht, Illy and Bag Raiders, whilst Simple Minds will be ably backed up by Eskimo Joe, the Hoodoo Gurus and Masters Apprentices.
Once you’ve raced all day, rock all night with your Armor All Gold Coast 600 ticket.