Global rock legends Guns N’ Roses will join the high octane charged V8 Supercar Championship Series to combine for a one-off East Coast concert at New South Wales’ premier sporting and entertainment event, the Sydney Telstra 500, at Sydney Olympic Park this December.

V8 Supercars Australia today confirmed it is bringing the famous rockers Down Under this December to headline the heart-thumping ride that is the Sydney Telstra 500. The street race was the biggest single event in NSW in 2009, its inaugural year, when 184,000 walked through the gates.

Guns N’ Roses will be joined by fellow American great Tony Hawk, widely regarded as the world’s greatest skateboarder, at the Sydney Telstra 500 as a great coup for the youth and skate markets. Hawk will have daily shows on Saturday and Sunday at the skate complex at Sydney Olympic Park.

Public tickets go on sale next Monday, July 19, through Ticketek. Prices range from just $91 for a Saturday only ticket including an entire day of action and the Saturday night concert at ANZ Stadium, or a three day pass from just $156, representing incredible value for money. The concert is FREE with any Saturday ticket.

Guns N’ Roses have sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and will headline the Sydney Telstra 500. Last year’s one-show only Cold Chisel concert attracted just under 50,000 fans to ANZ Stadium with Guns N’ Roses already tipped to fill the famous arena.

Skate master Hawk had already heard about the Sydney Telstra 500 before deciding to perform at the event.

“I can’t wait to skate the Monster Vert Ramp as part of the Sydney Telstra 500 V8 Supercar race at Sydney Olympic Park. It is one of the biggest ramps in the world and its unique design makes for great demo skating. I can’t wait to get back there in December!” Hawk said.

Acting NSW Premier John Hatzistergos reiterated the recent comments of Premier Kristina Keneally in Parliament that the Sydney Telstra 500 was the premier sporting and entertainment event in the state.

“The inaugural year of the Sydney Telstra 500 was an enormous success for New South Wales and solidified Sydney’s position as the major events capital of Australia,” he commented.

“It was the biggest single event in New South Wales last year, and in 2010 we are expecting an even bigger crowd and more world-wide audiences. New South Wales is well and truly on the big event map.”

Telstra Chief Marketing Officer Kate McKenzie said Telstra was pleased to be part of the excitement of this event.

“Telstra’s customers gave last year’s event the thumbs up with thousands watching the race live on BigPond Sport and on their Next G mobiles.” Ms McKenzie said. “We anticipate the 2010 race to be even bigger as it cements its place in Australia’s sporting calendar, and Telstra will be there to support fans at the track or watching the race from around the country.”

V8 Supercars Australia CEO Martin Whitaker said capturing both of these world renowned celebrities for Sydney was a massive win for the state.

“In December, the Sydney Telstra 500 is set to raise the bar even higher by delivering on our promise of a world-class event right here in Sydney with internationally renowned entertainment acts. We have also made some major improvements to the overall racing experience for our fans which we will unveil in the lead up to the race.”

The Sydney Telstra 500 is the Grand Final of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and is set to deliver even more excitement and explosive action on and off the track in 2010 as the V8 Supercars deliver the Greatest Show on Wheels.

In 2009, more than 184,000 people raced by day and rocked all night during three days of non-stop entertainment and the streets of Sydney Olympic Park will once again ignite from Friday December 3 to Sunday December 5 as V8 Supercars push the limits at the season’s final battle.

The Sydney Telstra 500 is Sydney’s first ever V8 Supercar street race and offers event goers a family-friendly experience with a festival atmosphere along with all of the drama and excitement of a motor race. Saturday tickets are available through Ticketek and include racing, concert entry and a full day of free public transport to and from the event from just $91, with three-day passes from just $156.