The iconic Gold Coast 600 returns to the world renowned street circuit this October along with a new, long-term naming rights sponsor, a reinvigorated trackside precinct and the biggest high octane, high energy entertainment.
Castrol EDGE was announced today as the naming rights sponsor of Queensland's largest sporting and entertainment event which this year will be taken to new levels on, and off, track.
V8 Supercars CEO James Warburton welcomed Castrol to the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600, which is Queensland's largest sporting and entertainment event annually and confirmed its status as one of the best in Australia.
"Castrol EDGE is a global brand with deep roots in motorsport, business and corporate Australia," Mr Warburton said.
"We are enormously proud to have Castrol as the major naming rights partner of the Gold Coast 600 following on from the great success of the partnership at the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland just a few weeks ago.
"Castrol is a global power brand and widely acknowledged as the world's leading specialist provider of lubricant solutions. Their support over the next three years will drive the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 to new heights."
Castrol Australia Marketing Director Diana Hall said the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 was an iconic event for Castrol to partner with to reap substantial exposure from the broadcast and at-track offerings.
"We're extremely excited to announce that Castrol will strengthen its partnership with V8 Supercars through a new, multi-year deal which sees Castrol EDGE as the naming rights sponsor to the Gold Coast 600," said Hall.
"This is an event that is perfectly suited to showcase the strength of Castrol EDGE, our strongest oil ever, because of the extreme and punishing conditions that the Gold Coast circuit brings for both the cars and their drivers.
"Castrol EDGE is all about pushing the boundaries and that is what will happen here on the Gold Coast for the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600.
"We look forward to utilising our support of the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 to entertain on a corporate level and showcase our performance product to millions of motorsport fans through global exposure of this action-packed event."
Queensland Minister for Tourism and Major Events Jann Stuckey welcomed the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 back to Queensland in 2014.
"The Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 will showcase the best in Australian motorsport coupled with an outstanding entertainment program providing locals and visitors with another 'Famous for Fun' Gold Coast experience," Ms Stuckey said.
"The Queensland Government's 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, outlines the need to support events such as this which drive repeat visitation to Queensland's destinations."
Mr Warburton announced a completely refreshed approach to this year's Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 by bringing the entertainment into the precinct, making it an all-encompassing hub of activity for everybody. Traditional race fans, families, party goers and corporates will have a myriad of options to plan their own experience.
The event has also invested in 770 additional grand stand seats around the track after they were completely sold out well in advance of last year's event and a completely refurbished corporate structure on pit straight with enclosed, air-conditioned suites on the bottom level.
Tickets are available from as little as $30 for general trackside and $75 for a fan stand seat. At the corporate end of the spectrum there are numerous options available for the full experience on pit straight or in any of the VIP areas around the circuit.
Gold Coast entertainment king Billy Cross will add his own touch with an exclusive over-18s Las Vegas style day club - Club 600 - on MacIntosh Island, complete with a beach stage and all-day, world class DJs and celebrities.
Australia's premier hip hop band the Hilltop Hoods will feature in a Saturday evening performance to be included in the event ticket. The multiple Aria Award winners will play the Gold Coast event for the first time, performing hits as well as new songs from the soon to be released album, Walking Under Stars.
Also returning for a night of high octane fun are Australia's biggest and most powerful drag racing machines for a two-hour adrenalin packed show on Friday evening.
The announcements were made at a who's who launch at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort and Spa this evening with internationally acclaimed DJ Brooke Evers giving the audience a taste of the pumped up party precinct.
The addition of the Gold Coast Light Rail, officially opened by the Queensland Government on Sunday, means that the event will become a one-stop package for all, in one place.
"As a major point of difference we have invested our resource and focus into providing the highest level of entertainment at-track that the event has had in many years, making this a must-attend event for all ages," Mr Warburton said.
With the Gold Coast Light Rail now online and servicing two stops right beside the track, this one-stop entertainment precinct has never been easier to get to.
"The drags have also been added to the program while not forgetting the real core of the weekend which is a crazy 600kms of V8 Supercars on Saturday and Sunday as well as the Carrera Cup, V8 Utes and Aussie Racing Cars."
Gold Coast events legend Cross will bring some of the biggest names in entertainment and DJs to fuel the party in the Club 600 which will house up to 2000 people at one time. The area, for over-18s, will be separated from the general public as a place where people can party in a likeminded environment.
Mr Cross said the Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 was the perfect backdrop for a high octane mix of the world's best motorsport and entertainment.
"My vision is bringing a Vegas feel to the Gold Coast," Mr Cross said. "I really want to create that incredible festival vibe on track by giving people a dance party environment where they can have an awesome time in a cool location."
Mr Warburton said the return of V8 Superfest after its success of its first year was a great benefit for the community, with a raft of free and ticketed entertainment offerings leading into the event.
"V8 Superfest was an integral part of engaging the community last year and helped generate a 98 per cent level of awareness amongst the people of the Gold Coast," he said.
"This year V8 Superfest will be condensed with a focus on delivering the biggest and best community events we can, while retaining the highly successful elements of its' first year."
New to the V8 Superfest calendar is a Festival of Fuel and Fire in Surfers Paradise and a celebration of urban art and creativity that brings renowned visual, digital and urban artists together on the Gold Coast. More events are being planned for the V8 Superfest calendar in the coming weeks.
Also new to V8 Superfest is a Student Safe Driving program at the V8 Supercars Driving Centre at Norwell, a ute muster at Mudgeeraba and a Gear Up Gold Coast competition for local business and schools.
Returning is the V8 Superfest Parade followed by the hugely popular Tapas and Torque on Tedder, the Miss V8 Supercars program, the CIK Race of Stars at Pimpama, the runners' hot lap which attracted 500 competitors at last year's event, the V8 Billy Kart Derby at Burleigh and a V8 Utes charity golf day.
The Castrol EDGE Gold Coast 600 will run from 24 to 26 October. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek at ticketek.com.au
