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Category: Motor Sports / Tourism

Newcastle home to V8 Supercars for next five years

Tuesday, 27 Sep 2016 09:55:28 | Dan Cox

Mike Baird makes the V8 Supercars announcement in Newcastle. (ABC News: Dan Cox)

Newcastle will host the V8 Supercars 500 championships for the next five years.

Premier Mike Baird made the announcement while visiting the city today.

The V8 event, which has been held in Sydney since 2009, will hold its finale at Olympic Park this year and move to Newcastle in 2017.

It is expected to attract more than 80,000 domestic and international visitors.

Mr Baird said the event would boost the local economy by $57 million.

"There are benefits for local businesses, in suppliers. There's a huge opportunity to generate that economic activity, so that's a great thing," he said.

"But it's also a chance for locals to enjoy one of the great events around the country."

The Premier said it was all about showcasing Newcastle to the world.

"Having a marquee event, in terms of the V8 Supercars, is a great way to do that," he said.

"Locals will have the opportunity to enjoy it. It will provide a huge boost to the local economy.

"But we will also have the opportunity to send the pictures and the stories across the world, so we think that's a great thing."

V8 supercars Newcastle track Photo: The proposed route for the V8 Supercars event around the Newcastle foreshore will be open for community consultation. (Supplied: NSW Government)

Newcastle enthusiastic about hosting event

Supercars Australia chief executive James Warbuton said Newcastle was a standout when vying to host the event.

"You've got to have a region and a city that really wants it, and it was very clear in all the discussions with Newcastle council, and also with Destination NSW, and the NSW Government that Newcastle was going to be the place," he said.

"And I must say the reaction has really shown that so far."

Mr Warbuton said Newcastle would boast an exciting track.

"What we do is showcase cities and regions, and we're actually the number one sport regionally."

Tourism Hunter chairman Will Creedon said it was a massive coup for the region.

"It is not the only event that we are going for — there are many others," he said.

"It is such a high profile event. It is therefore that we can build year on year with certainty, that we can continue to improve our ability to host such events."

Organisers have released a proposed route for the race, but say the local community will be consulted.

AustraliaPlus


 

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