V8 Superfest returns to light up Gold Coast
04 Sep 2014
V8 SUPERCARS has unveiled the action-packed program of off-track events and celebrations that will light up the Gold Coast in the two weeks leading up to the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600.
V8 Superfest will feature many of the most popular events from last year's inaugural festival - including the V8 Superfest Drivers Parade - as well as a host of new events.
The line-up for V8 Superfest was announced this morning in Cavill Mall by the Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey.
"V8 Superfest was a successful addition to the Gold Coast 600 last year with more than 75,000 people taking advantage of the dynamic offering of events," Ms Stuckey said.
"The festival is a terrific initiative with events for people of all ages. It ensures not only V8 fans but people from all walks of life get involved in the Gold Coast 600."
"The Queensland government has partnered with V8 Supercars to deliver V8 Superfest which will extend the economic benefits to local businesses outside of the race precinct."
"The Queensland Government's 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, outlines the need to support events which drive visitation to regional destinations with the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 coupled with V8 Superfest assisting to achieve our goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 to $30 billion by 2020."
V8 Supercars' Chief Operating Officer, Shane Howard, said V8 Superfest was about extending the excitement of race weekend into a Gold Coast-wide party that everyone - locals and visitors alike - could join, with the majority of events completely free.
"The party atmosphere has always been an important part of the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 experience. We want that party feeling to permeate the weeks leading up to the event, so that everyone knows the race is coming and that the Gold Coast is the place to be," he said.
Whilst a couple of events will commence in early October, Mr Howard said V8 Superfest would really ramp up from Friday 17 October.
"Our opening night will see Fire and Fuel Fest literally light up Cavill Mall and the Esplanade with displays of pyrotechnics, monster machines and stunt demons," he said.
"The excitement will continue throughout the weekend with the Race of the Stars karting event on Saturday 18 October at Xtreme Karting in Pimpama and the V8 Superfest Drivers Parade on Sunday 19 October through the streets of Surfers Paradise.
"Basically, we're talking wall-to-wall events, almost all of them free, from Friday 17 October right through until the chequered flag on Sunday 26 October."
Other highlights from the V8 Superfest program include (in date order):
GC Paint Pit (throughout Superfest) - a celebration of urban art involving visual, digital and urban artists transforming walls and laneways into contemporary pieces of art - throughout the Gold Coast
Miss V8 Supercars (throughout Superfest) - a host of events to decide the winner of the 2014 Miss V8 Supercars culminating in the announcement on Saturday 25 October
V8 Superfest @ Circle (throughout Superfest) - motorsport inspired movies and entertainment - Surfers Paradise
Student Safe Driving Program (throughout Superfest) - an educational safe driving program for year 11 students from across the Gold Coast -Performance Driving Centre, home of the Official V8 Supercars Experience, 75 Norwell Rd Norwell
Gear Up Gold Coast (throughout Superfest) - a theming competition to engage local business and the community - online
Party Nights (throughout Superfest) - everything party from foam to jelly - across Gold Coast
Fast and Ludicrous (Saturday 18 October) - modified wheelie bin racing - Oxenford
Rev (d) Head Beach Walk - (Saturday 18 October) - aerial and beachside entertainment - Coolangatta
V8 Billycart Derby (Sunday 19 October) - a day of old-fashioned fun for the family at James Street, Burleigh Heads
Tapas and Torque on Tedder (Sunday 19 October) - an evening Latino street festival - Main Beach
Ute Muster (Sunday 19 October) - celebrating all things Australian and the icon of the ute, including parade, live music and family entertainment - Mudgeeraba
WAGS600 (Tuesday 21 October) - the wives and girlfriends of Gold Coast 600 drivers take to the track to find the fastest female in the series -Performance Driving Centre, home of the Official V8 Supercars Experience, 75 Norwell Rd Norwell
Slideways Karting Superstars (Tuesday 21 October) - an indoor karting competition against Gold Coast 600 drivers - Nerang
Beach Volleyball Challenge (Wednesday 22 October) - V8 Supercars drivers and grid girls take to the beach for some friendly competition - Surfers Paradise
Fast on the Fairway V8 Ute Charity Golf Day (Wednesday 22 October) - the action moves from the track to the fairway for this charity event involving drivers, cars, prizes and golf - Robina
Broadbeach Sim Shakedown (Thursday 23 October) -Broadbeach Mall opens up its doors to the new National Race Simulator Championships 2014. In addition, the competition will feature Miss V8 Supercars Sportswear Judging.
Runners Hot Lap (Saturday 25 October) - the second annual fun run on the Gold Coast 600 street circuit - Main Beach
In addition to the V8 Superfest program, entertainment will also be a feature of the race precinct, with a concert by the Hilltop Hoods on Saturday night and the addition of a new Las Vegas-style day club featuring all-day DJs.
The Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 will run from 24 to 26 October. Information about the festival and racing programs is available at www.v8superfest.com.au. Tickets are on-sale now via Ticketek at ticketek.com.au
