Pure Entertainment for Gold Coast

The off-track action at this year’s ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will be just as hot as the on-track action, with the biggest entertainment program in the event’s history lighting up the Gold Coast for the entire month of October.

The major international artists include US rap-rock outfit Gym Class Heroes, featuring Travie McCoy. Gym Class Heroes will be supported at the Friday night concert by Australia’s own Spiderbait, Havana Brown and Bomb’s Away.

Aria Award winning electro pop duo The Presets headline the Saturday night concert, supported by Aussie rock greats Grinspoon, Gold Coast international success story The Stafford Brothers and Gold Coast-born DJ Brooke Evers.

The concerts are limited to a 5000 capacity with the first 1000 ticket holders able to opt in for a free ticket. The remainder of concert tickets are available for just $19.95 when purchasing a three-day or same day event ticket.

V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton made the announcement along with Member for Burleigh Michael Hart and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Soul in Surfers Paradise today. Also unveiled today were some components of a planned month-long festival of events across the greater Gold Coast.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey welcomed the announcement and said the extended program of events should encourage more visitors to travel to the Gold Coast, providing a boost to the economy and community as well as showcasing the city.

“The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 has a history for delivering the best in motorsport and world class entertainment and this year’s event promises more variety and excitement to enhance the experience for visitors,” Ms Stuckey said. 

“The State Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, looks forward to continuing our partnership with V8 Supercars to grow tourism outcomes for the State.

“Supporting major events like the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 supports our goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

Mayor Tate said the announced line-up was just one of the aspects of this year’s events that would draw vital tourism dollars and visitors to the Gold Coast, along with the festival of events that will be enjoyed by visitors and locals alike.

“This is a transformative step for the GC600 and cements its place in our entertainment and tourism calendar. It’s bigger and better, puts beyond doubt V8 Supercars’ commitment to the Gold Coast.”

Mr Warburton, said the three day racing program from October  25 to 27 would be the culmination of the month-long festival of free and ticketed events for people of all ages – designed to provide an atmosphere for all.

V8 Supercars has committed a substantial portion of its marketing and events budget to support the Community Consultation Committee – a group of key business leaders, including members of Gold Coast Tourism and local media.

It includes Queensland Tourism’s Director Corporate Relations and Destination Management Lindsay Wallace, Gold Coast Council’s Special Events Officer Marg Reed, Surfers Paradise Alliance Events Manager Steve Brooks and Main Beach Traders Associations’ Mark Feltham.

“Events of this magnitude are so much more than a motor race,” Mr Warburton said.

“The Armor All Gold Coast 600 showcases the strip, provides much needed jobs and encourages visitors en-masse to come, play and stay.

“Our festival and community program is aimed at maximising the economic stimulus and benefit for an economy that is doing it tough.”

ARMOR ALL’s General Manager Australia, New Zealand and China of the Armored Auto Group Paul Blair said the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 was a massive event for the Gold Coast and the ARMOR ALL brand. 

"ARMOR ALL is proud to yet again bring fantastic entertainment, both on and off the track, to the people of the Gold Coast. We look forward to seeing you in the massive crowd on the Friday and Saturday nights as some of these huge acts light up the stage.”

The festival focus will be centred on the community and visitors across the month of October, selling the great attributes of the Gold Coast and providing a raft of free and some ticketed entertainment offerings which will ramp up in event week.

“The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 has built a reputation for being a week-long party – with thrilling racing by day and a great party atmosphere,” Mr Warburton said.

“We want to give people plenty of good reason to come, stick around a bit longer and enjoy the Gold Coast. At the same time we want the community to really embrace an event that they should all be very proud to have in their backyard.” 

In its final concept stage, the festival is proposed to include more than 30 events, including some old favourites as well as exciting new additions.

One of the confirmed activities is on Saturday October 19, V8 Supercars will join forces with the Australian Karting Association to present “Race of the Stars”, featuring 150 of Australia’s top karting stars at Pimpama’s Xtreme Karting Facility, V8 Supercar drivers and local celebrities and personalities.

The following day (Sunday October 20), thousands of people are expected to line the streets of Surfers Paradise for a major street parade with all the movement and colour of a mardi gras.

The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will also form the final of the 2013 Miss V8 Supercars competition which is being staged across Australia through until October.

More than 20 finalists from all parts of the country will travel to the Gold Coast for a week of judging and appearances, with one lucky finalist to be crowned Miss V8 Supercars, and take away a $20,000 prize pool and a trip to the Texas 400 in Austin, Texas, next year. 

Mr Warburton said V8 Supercars was still programming the festival, with the help of a newly formed community consultation committee.

“It’s important to us that the festival meets the needs of the Gold Coast community, as well as local businesses.  We’re excited to have their direct input this year.”

The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will run from October 25 to 27, with the festival commencing from October 1.

Tickets for the event are available through Ticketek and it is included as part of the Enduro Pass ticket option.