Supercars - Gold Coast 500

The Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 represents a major v8supercars competition on the Streets Of Surfers Paradise. This event features two 250-kilometer races across the weekend, totaling 500 kilometers of racing action. The Surfers Paradise Street Circuit hosts the Gold Coast 500, bringing championship racing to Queensland's famous coastal destination.

The Surfers Paradise Street Circuit

The Streets Of Surfers Paradise transform into a temporary racing circuit measuring 2.96 kilometers. The track features 15 corners and runs in an anti-clockwise direction. Drivers navigate tight chicanes and fast sections bordered by concrete walls. This configuration creates close racing with minimal room for error.

The circuit stands as the shortest Supercars track in Australia. Cars reach top speeds of 265 km/h on the approach to Turn 1, while Turn 4 and Turn 15 present the slowest sections. The average speed around the circuit sits at 146 km/h. Each race requires 85 laps to complete the 250-kilometer distance.

Teams and Drivers for 2026

The 2026 Gold Coast 500 features a competitive field from the Repco Supercars Championship. Five rookies join the grid: Rylan Gray, Zach Bates, Jayden Ojeda, Jackson Walls, and Jobe Stewart. Several experienced drivers have moved to new teams, including Jack Le Brocq at Matt Stone Racing, Cameron Hill at Brad Jones Racing, and James Golding at Blanchard Racing Team.

Confirmed Teams and Driver Lineups

Triple Eight campaigns Ford Mustangs for Will Brown, Broc Feeney, and Jackson Walls. Grove Racing fields Matt Payne and Kai Allen in Ford entries. Tickford Racing runs Cam Waters and Thomas Randle. Walkinshaw Andretti United operates Toyota GR Supras for Chaz Mostert and Ryan Wood.

Team 18 competes with GM Camaros driven by Anton De Pasquale and David Reynolds. Brad Jones Racing fields Toyota entries for Andre Heigmartner, Cam Hill, and Macauley Jones. Dick Johnson Racing runs Ford Mustangs for Brodie Kostecki and Rylan Gray.

Matt Stone Racing operates GM Camaros for Jack Le Brocq and Zach Bates. PremiAir Racing fields Jayden Ojeda and Declan Fraser in GM machinery. Erebus Motorsport runs Cooper Murray and Jobe Stewart, while Blanchard Racing Team campaigns Ford entries for James Golding and Aaron Cameron.

Technical Specifications

The v8supercars competing at Gold Coast feature either 5.4-liter or 5.7-liter naturally aspirated V8 engines. These powerplants produce over 600 horsepower. Gen 3 regulations govern the competition, introducing aerodynamic changes that reduce downforce while increasing road relevance and reducing team costs.

Technical parity regulations ensure fair competition between different manufacturers. Ford Mustangs compete against GM Camaros and Toyota GR Supras under these balanced rules.

Event History and Evolution

The Surfers Paradise Street Circuit has hosted racing for more than 30 years. IndyCar racing arrived in 1991, with V8 Supercars competing as a support category from 1994 to 2008. The series gained championship status at this venue in 2002.

From 2010 to 2019, the Gold Coast 600 featured a two-driver endurance format. Racing paused in 2020 and 2021 before returning in 2022 with the current single-driver Gold Coast 500 format. The circuit length changed from its original 4.47 kilometers to the current 2.96-kilometer configuration.

What Makes This Event Special

The Gold Coast 500 combines championship racing with a distinctive coastal setting. Beaches and skyscrapers provide the backdrop as v8supercars race through city streets. The event attracts over 200,000 spectators annually to the Streets Of Surfers Paradise.

Construction of the temporary circuit begins approximately nine weeks before racing commences. The installation includes 10 kilometers of debris fencing and 16 kilometers of security fencing, meeting international motor racing safety standards. Concert performances complement the racing program.

The street circuit configuration creates challenges for teams and drivers. Position changes occur frequently due to the tight layout and limited run-off areas. The Gold Coast 500 kicks off the Finals Series, with the top 10 drivers in the Championship standings qualifying for this crucial phase of the season.

Race Format and Competition Structure

The event runs across three days with practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and top ten shootouts. Saturday and Sunday each feature a 250-kilometer race. Qualifying sessions determine the starting grid, with shootout formats establishing pole position for both races.

Fans can choose from general admission, grandstand seating, and hospitality options. Children 12 and under receive free general admission when accompanying a paying adult. The combination of accessible viewing and premium options serves different preferences for experiencing the Gold Coast 500.

The Streets Of Surfers Paradise deliver close racing and competitive action as drivers and teams vie for championship points. This Gold Coast event often influences championship outcomes as competitors navigate the demanding street circuit.