Huge turnout welcomes Supercars back to the Gold Coast

Supercars drivers have received a grand welcome back to Surfers Paradise ahead of the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.

A huge crowd, including a number of interstate travellers, filled Surfers Paradise beachfront esplanade on Thursday evening for a sunset signing session.

Hundreds of fans met with their favourite drivers in heart of the Gold Coast, getting posters and cherished memorabilia signed by their racing heroes. 

It comes as the Repco Supercars Championship returns to the Surfers streets for the first time since 2019.

The twelfth round of the 2022 season will be headlined by two 85-lap races, with drivers set to tackle the concrete jungle by themselves.

After nearly a three-year absence, local driver Will Davison welcomed the return of the "epic" Surfers Paradise event. 

“It is absolutely epic,” Davison told Supercars.com.

“I can't believe it's been three years since we were here, and you can definitely tell that people have missed it.

“I'm excited for the weekend is going to be massive.

“Just the turnout here at the moment, you can feel the energy, everyone's pumped for the weekend.”

All 25 drivers were in attendance at the popular beachside precinct, with fans filling the area.

Mark Winterbottom, who will make his 50th round start for Team 18 this weekend, is “pumped” to return to a circuit that he has missed.

“It's huge,” Winterbottom said of the crowd.

“To see all the people here is massive, but this event is always like this, it's one of the favourites and it's always got a good vibe.

“This year, in particular, it feels busier than ever.

“The sun's come out, it's been a ripper of a day already.

“We haven't even started racing and the vibes are good.

“I’m so glad it's back on the calendar, as it’s one I really, really missed and obviously people have too, that's why they're all here.”

This year the entertainment line-up is packed like never before, with six acts across three huge nights.

For fans aged 18 and over, the event will see some of Australia’s hottest DJs and international stars take to the Club 500 stage on Macintosh Island on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening of October’s event, headlined by Bliss N Eso, Carl Cox & Eric Powell’s Mobile Disco and Sneaky Sound System.

Entertainment is included in your same day event ticket.

Cars will hit the track for Practice 1 at 12:35pm local time/1:35pm AEDT on Friday.

The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 will be held 28-30 October and broadcast live on Fox Sports and the Seven Network.

Tickets are now available through Supercars.com and Ticketek.