Gold Coast Indy Circuit Guide

[Andy H]

The bonus of a very quiet week at work is I've finally got round to putting this together. I'm seeking a wee bit of help from you punters down order to help me complete the first draft.

I need your thoughts on:

Viewing:
- General Admission - best places to hang out
- Andretti stands
- Brabham stands

History of the track:
Anyone want to knock a few words together on how the race came about, the track itself and past races (have a look at the Le Mans guide for an idea on length and content)

Websites:
Are there any except the official one?

Once these last bits are complete I plan to circulate the draft to anyone who's been to help correct the errors and ommissions.

Cheers
Andy

[Crash Test]

I did this one up for yas a while ago...pick it to bits, any more questions FWD them this way...i just about live at the track and have walked around several million times, during and after race weekend.CIRCUIT NAME Gold Coast Indycar Circuit
ADDRESSES:
Racetrack: Gold Coast Highway, Surfers Paradise
WEB SITE: http://www.indy.com.au
CIRCUIT STATS:
Length: 2.795 miles/4.995 km
Width: Varies, approx 10m
HISTORY/BACKGROUND: After controversial beginnings in 1991, has played host to an annual Cart race since, with some memorable races along the way.
In 1991, John Andretti was a surprise winner aboard the Hall Chevrolet/Lola sponsored by Pennzoil. He beat the field who left the race either the crashing out, or by mechanical failure. The race has always been tough on equipment in both these respects, with transmissions always coming under fire. In 1992 Emerson Fittipaldi won a dramatic race, which featured a tropical down pour mid race. The Gold Coast became the center of worldwide attention in 1993, when as the opening race of the Indycar series, saw the debut race of reigning formula one champion Nigel Mansell. He won, and won convincingly from pole in a performance which brought the Gold Coast to its feet.

Michael Andretti, the prodigal son, returned from formula one to win Reynards first ever race on debut for the marque in 1994. Once again it rained, and several stoppages meant that the race finished early, under street lights at nearly 6 PM. Andretti once again featured in the 1995 edition, with gearbox problems he crashed out of a podium position on the last lap. His team mate, and these days sparring partner Paul Tracy took the win.

In 1996 Jimmy Vasser not only won on the Gold Coast, but took out the championship, starting an incredible run for Chip Ganasi racing. The start of the 1997 race was unfortunately punctuated by the unfortunate crash of Christian Fittiapldi on the start of the second lap. Scott Pruett went on to take the win for Patrick Racing. 1998 saw an enthralling battle for the lead between title protagonists Alex Zanardi and Dario Franchitti, with the victory coming in Zanardi’s favour. Franchitti only had to wait 12 months before his victory in the 1999 race.

HOW TO GET THERE:
By car: From Brisbane, take the Pacific Highway south, and then take the Smith Street Connection. The circuit is just north of the centre of Surfers Paradise.
By train: Robina Station, where connection busses will take you straight to the front gate.
Best place to park car: Anywhere where you can fit your car! Depends on what time you get to the track, but from personal experience, if you arrive early you can get a park north of the Nerarng River, a short walk from the track. The authorities advise you to park at the Parklands Showgrounds (off Smith Street) where buses take you to the gate.
WHERE TO STAND:
By popularity: The hill on the inside of the northern hairpin is always popular with the girls and boys, there is plenty of atmosphere, most of which is provided by the bar!
Other popular places are the chicanes, if you don't have a grandstand seat, it may be difficult to to get a good spot.

Overtaking: Either the ANA Hotel corner, or on the entry to the first chicane on the beach side of the track.
Fast part: The main straight if you have a grandstand seat, the run under the bridge at the Gold Coast International Hotel, or somewhere along the back straight, near the entry to the Fosters Chicane.
Slow part: The Hairpin is the slowest part on the track, although the esses just preceeding the hairpin are also very interesting.
Grandstand/seating: At all of the chicanes, main straight, and several of the corners. For value for money, the hairpin is the way to go, especially with the big screen opposite. Although the chicane seating may be more expensive, the action (especially around the Fosters Chicane) is incredible.
ADMISSION COSTS: Granstands:
Fittipaldi Flexi -$130 -Various locations, first come fist served basis
Disabled Stand -$130 -Main straight
Unser Stand -$185 -Hairpin
Andretti Stand -$240 -ANA Hotel Corner/Main Straight
Brabham Stand -$400 -Fosters Chicane
Chequered Flag Club -$500 -Fosters Chicane -Luxury
General Admission:
From $24 for Thursday to $100 for weekend.

Tickets available from Ticketek or 1300303103

PIT ACCESS: You can walk through the back of the Indy Pits, but you need to take a pit walk to go up near the cars. The V8 pits are down near the ANA Hotel, and is free to enter. Other support classes are in various places including hotel car parks, and at Sea World. Access to these areas are sometimes restricted.
WHERE'S THE BEST?
Food/drinks: There is normally a wide selection at the northern hairpin.
Toilets: Spread the whole way around the track, but there are usually a large number at the hairpin and in the pits.
Merchandise: Limited, although the best shot for team merchandise is at the back of the Cart pits. Event merchadise is available around the track.
BYO food/drink: No bottles.
WEATHER:
Where to go if it rains: Under your umbrella! Not too much choice, unless you strick it lucky.
Any special local conditions: The weather in the morning is not always the weather in the afternoon, so be warned. However since the race was moved to October, the weather has been greatly improved.
WHERE TO TAKE PHOTOS: There are really only 2 options for not getting the safety cathc fence in your photos: from the tops of the grandstands or find a gap in the fence. Fast films and shutter speeds are the order of the day, and a long lense if from the grandstands.
COMMENTARY:
Auidible PA: Dodgy, but you can't hear when the cars are in your area, its far too loud.
Local radio: 98.5 FM, good coverage, bring your walkman.
HIGHLIGHTS OF YEAR 2000 CALENDAR: Honda Indy 300, 12-15 October 2000.
BEST MEETINGS OF 1999: The Honda Indy 300 was won in 1999 by Team Kool Green driver Dario Franchitti.
WHERE TO STAY:
Hotels: There are many hotels/motels within the circuit boundaries, and these require an accomodation pass. Major hotels within the circuit are the Gold Coast International and the ANA hotel. The official hotel is the Marriott Surfers Paradise, which is just over on the other side of the Highway near the first chicane.
Indy Travel can be contacted on 1800300055
The Queensland Government Travel Center can be contacted at 131801
Qantas Holidays can be contacted at 131415


Campground: N/A
Nearest Shops: Surfers Paradise to the south, or Australia Fair to the north.
Local Attractions: Its the Gold Coast! There's the beach, the shops, the theme parks etc etc...

[elephino]

Just add my little bit to the photo thing, having had some experience with this.

The end of the beachside straight is usually a spot for a hole in the fence. Sometimes up at the ANA at the last corner, depending on where the hole is moved to as it changes year to year. The rest of the track is difficult to avoid fences. Coming out of the esses on the beachside has a hole, but is usually crowded with pros and also is a major thoroughfare which makes it difficult to stake out a spot. If you can, try to stay in one of the buildings with roof access within the track.

[Andy H]

Cheers guys just noting down your wisdom now. Few further thoughts:

Have you tried the Andretti or Brabham stands first hand yourself - if so how did you rate them?

Have you anything on the history of the how the race came about, has the track altered at all in the last 10 years, did they have to pull down amend any of the city to run it etc. Any info or sources you have would be great 'cos I've found little so far!

Any other websites except the proper one?

How much was it to get in the pits? from memory I'm thinking of 20 or 30 dollars but may have it all wrong.

[Crash Test]

"Have you tried the Andretti or Brabham stands first hand yourself - if so how did you rate them?"
-I have only ever been in 3 grandstands:
The current Unser hairpin
A photographers stand at the inside of the ANA (now long gone)
and a grandstand which was right in the middle of the first beach chicane.

Brabham from what i gather is the luxury corporate boxes with the works, except for the paying public. CCTV, food, good view, but not that great for photos me thinks.

Andretti...General pit straight type things..also at ANA, which would be a good photo spot.

"has the track altered at all in the last 10 years"
-Just realignment of chicanes, but stabel for last few years.

"did they have to pull down amend any of the city to run it etc"
-No, they keep putting things up, which eats into the support category space, so they are based several kilometers away at Sea World, and get to the track under police escort... The V8's still use a public car park within the track bounds.

There is also a nice hole in the fence coming onto Hill Parade, where the TV camera and flaggies are.

"How much was it to get in the pits? from memory I'm thinking of 20 or 30 dollars but may have it
all wrong."
-You can get into the back of the pits for nothing, but i think to do a pit walk is $20. The V8 pits are free.

[elephino]

I've been in Unser, Andretti and the one that is now a highrise at the second chicane.

Unser was quite good, with the big screen and the cars screaming away up the main straight (bend). Andretti wasn't that good personally as the cars were too quick and the track bent the wrong way. The pitstops were good to watch, but not very good for photographing due to fences and trees.
The other stand was excellent as it was above the fence height, but it now doesn't exist. Also in Andretti you get pelted with rubber as the cars fly past. Not a lot, but it is odd the first time it happens.

The biggest changes are to stands. The one mentioned above and also the stand on the inside of the esses on the beach side have been removed. Apart from that the only changes I know of are to the realignment of the double chicane on the beachside after Unsers accident.

I recommend rather than traveling by train or car to stay within the track just for ease of getting to and from the track (down the lift and you're there).

The double chicane on the beach is good for spectating, bad for photographs (but go there anyway just to watch).

[Andy H]

cheers guys - I just need to organise myself to put a few words together for the history then I hope to be issuing a draft next week.

[Andy H]

Elephino/Crash - I've emailed you a first draft of the guide, can you have a look at let me know your thoughts.

Your input, thoughts and comments are much appreciated as you've been many times whereas I've only made the one visit.

Also do you know of anywhere we can get a map of the track to include in the guide? The only one I've seen is the official website but I don't think we'll get permission for that!


If anyone else who's been to the Gold Coast Indy wants a look at the draft let me know.

Cheers
Andy

[Andy H]

The guide is now complete and hopefully the lovely (but overworked) staff who live in the 10/10ths site will be posting it shortly.

Thanks go to Craig, Carrie, Crash Test & Elephino for all the assistance given.

[Andy H]

The guide is now on-line and open to the public.

Enjoy

[Craig]

Indeed it is - thanks to Carrie for putting it on-line