The tightest street circuit on the calendar, but a spectacular place for V8 Supercar racing, this CART Champ Car circuit has been a part of the Championship since last season, but the V8 Supercars have raced there since 1994. Following the world famous Surfers Paradise shoreline, this difficult circuit combines straightline speed with the slowest and narrowest of corners, making panel rubbing and major accidents a norm of this major event. Having stated this, drivers enjoy having a real go at this circuit as the rewards are great for the effort, but the price to pay for a mistake, just like any street circuit, can be major. The hundreds of thousands of people who attend this event rate the V8 Supercars as a major drawcard and as such, the local series shares top billing with the Champ Cars, making it a nothing short of a great event.
Mark Winterbottom:
“You always take your mirror off on the second part of the first chicane; you know you’re bordering on shunting every time through here. The back double chicane has real attitude – one minute the left is off the ground, the next it’s the right.”
Steven Richards:
“This is a circuit where you must lay it on the line with total commitment in qualifying, but it can be punishing if you get it wrong. It is the only circuit where we can remove the left exterior mirror to reduce racing damage.”