Gold Coast 600 - No more Internationals?

[one five five]

In a story for SpeedTV.com, Marshall Pruett writes this interesting line;

Originally Posted by Marshall Pruett

I'm still waiting on the official word from the V8 Supercars series, but every indicator points to the Gold Coast 600 going away from including international drivers--a popular destination for IndyCar drivers since the event was launched in 2010.

full article here - http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...-doubleheaders

Has there been any local word on this?

[mountainstar]

The cost for each driver they bring over, wages, travel, accommodations and other expenses comes out to about $50K per driver.

Most of the drivers they have brought over, all of us motor racing nerds know who they all are, but most of the public probably not.

The only novelty I guess is seeing how these other pro drivers fare when they don't have a lot of experience with these cars.

[BlueMax]

Briscoe has stated that he is doing 3 races with HRT this year. So is that Sandown, Bathurst and Gold Coast, or Texas, Sandown and Bathurst?

[Axeman444]

and Mika Salo wants to do Bathurst, maybe they are just removing the "Internationals can only do Sandown/Bathurst OR GC". Mr Rahal seems to think he still has a gig at JDR/Nismo

[GTRMagic]

2013 is the last year of the current contract with the GCEC isnt it?

Perhaps the decision not to continue has been made, and the new direction, with less international flavour, is to reduce the impact on the teams.

If they want international pilots for the enduros, there are plenty of test sessions available...

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Perhaps the decision not to continue has been made, and the new direction, with less international flavour, is to reduce the impact on the teams.

or an official extension of the middle finger to the GCEC?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Axeman444

or an official extension of the middle finger to the GCEC?

When is the lease up on the VESA HQ? Maybe it too can relocate...

EDIT: Signed in 2008 on a 5 year lease...

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

The cost for each driver they bring over, wages, travel, accommodations and other expenses comes out to about $50K per driver.

Most of the drivers they have brought over, all of us motor racing nerds know who they all are, but most of the public probably not.

Its funny you say because that was the line that V8SC used to try and get the event over the line with the Qld government - along with buying international tv through speed US.

Would no more internationals = no more event? Or a true international series gracing the shores again?

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Its funny you say because that was the line that V8SC used to try and get the event over the line with the Qld government - along with buying international tv through speed US.

Would no more internationals = no more event? Or a true international series gracing the shores again?

They reduced the track size and cut the costs, so it might be now they may not feel they need the internationals to have a viable event. V8 Supercars is now it's own international series anyways.

But nothing has been announced yet. I guess we'll find out.

When it comes down to it, I don't care one way or another.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

They reduced the track size and cut the costs, so it might be now they may not feel they need the internationals to have a viable event. V8 Supercars is now it's own international series anyways.

Mountainstar the international drivers and tv was required depsite the smaller track and reduced costs.

Your last sentence is extremely debatable (especially considering the need to import foreign drivers) but I feel that might be a chat for another day.

[Marcos WTF]

I'd like to see it gone. No laments from me.

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Its funny you say because that was the line that V8SC used to try and get the event over the line with the Qld government - along with buying international tv through speed US.

Would no more internationals = no more event? Or a true international series gracing the shores again?

true international series. like what exactly? Formula 1 is already in Australia. there are no more truly international series

[FAS33]

Originally Posted by peckstar

true international series. like what exactly? Formula 1 is already in Australia. there are no more truly international series

He meant Group A, would love to see that International series come back to our shores..oh wait.

[DV_08]

I think by truly international series D.R.T means a series from overseas.

[peckstar]

yeah but what.

and the what has to pull a crowd.

I''m doubtful there is anything that will pull a crowd, unless they bring Indycars back, and they apparently dont want to come

[one five five]

Originally Posted by FAS33

He meant Group A, would love to see that International series come back to our shores..oh wait.

When Group A had an official FIA-sanctioned World Championship it did come to Australia (at Bathurst no less)

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by one five five

When Group A had an official FIA-sanctioned World Championship it did come to Australia (at Bathurst no less)

and calder

[rik]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

When it comes down to it, I don't care one way or another.

Lets hope it's not half baked though... if they're not going to do the international thing properly the series should stand on it's own feet like at Clipsal.

[D.R.T.]

Originally Posted by peckstar

yeah but what.

and the what has to pull a crowd.

I''m doubtful there is anything that will pull a crowd, unless they bring Indycars back, and they apparently dont want to come

Why does Indycar not want to come? Under Tony George there was a disagreement over dates and TV deal (in the US dictating when the season needed to conclude).

Added to this was that the money being paid didnt cover all expenses associated with the travel and for teams it was still expensive.

Indycar would be the obvious but the other might be the WEC?

[peckstar]

Havent heard anything to say they want to come back, If you have then you should share it with us

WEC, might be interesting, not sure it has the pull to attract a crowd. guess thats up to QLD goverenment to decide.

[GTRMagic]

The Gold Coast 12 Hour, for GT3 cars?

[peckstar]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

The Gold Coast 12 Hour, for GT3 cars?

8000 people at Bathurst. Cant see it atrracting 80,000 at the Gold Coast

[porsche91722]

Originally Posted by peckstar

Havent heard anything to say they want to come back, If you have then you should share it with us

WEC, might be interesting, not sure it has the pull to attract a crowd. guess thats up to QLD goverenment to decide.

I doubt that WEC would be interested in coming to Surfers Paradise. Maybe Phillip Island or Bathurst perhaps. You are right about the crowd. There's no chance that the WEC would be on anyone's radar up here.
However, FIAGT could be a possibility. Sprint races are their go. There's only one problem. The cars are beautiful, the drivers are better, the racing is more exciting, so cancel that out as well. V8SC wouldn't let an under-card like that, show them up.
What was I thinking?

[Tourer]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Why does Indycar not want to come? Under Tony George there was a disagreement over dates and TV deal (in the US dictating when the season needed to conclude).

Added to this was that the money being paid didnt cover all expenses associated with the travel and for teams it was still expensive.

Indycar would be the obvious but the other might be the WEC?

You're right on TG and with the substantial management changes since at Indycar, who knows? Mind you, TG might end up back running it according to some conspiracy theorists.

Can't agree with your second point, the deal always was full travel and freight covered plus an appearance fee.

The most recent version of Indycar management typically look for a $20mill US appearance fee plus freight, travel and accom - that is more than the Champ Car deal used to be on the GC and many times what V8s cost. Given that the Qld State Govt is on a cost containment drive, seems unlikely that they'd go of it. WEC or one of the other GT series might be an option if (as seems the case) it has good level of entries and is more reasonable on cost.

[inpitlane]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Why does Indycar not want to come? Under Tony George there was a disagreement over dates and TV deal (in the US dictating when the season needed to conclude).

Added to this was that the money being paid didnt cover all expenses associated with the travel and for teams it was still expensive.

Indycar would be the obvious but the other might be the WEC?

The date is the main sticking point. Indycar have said that they would now consider a return to the Gold Coast but it would have to be early in the season.
This puts it too close to the Grand Prix date and one of the reasons for the current October date is that it was a traditionally quiet time on the Gold Coast tourist calendar.
I'd love to see WEC out here but a six hour race even on the full circuit would be a car killer. Added to that is the fact that the series has no profile at all here in Australia.
The only way the race will survive is for the Gold Coast council and QLD Government to accept the fact that it is no longer an International event but like the Clipsal and Bathurst it is still a popular local event that brings plenty of tourists into the area who otherwise would never have come.
If they are determined to have an International component perhaps they need to look closer to home and the Asian region.
Asian motorsport is booming but Australia remains fixated on Europe and the US.