Supercars to stage final series race in Newcastle from 2017

Newcastle has been named the new host city for the series final of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship for the next five years.

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Supercars Australia Chief Executive James Warburton made the announcement in Newcastle today (Tuesday 27th September).

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.

Announcing the new race, Premier Baird stated “the Hunter has thousands of Supercars fans who now have an event to call their own,” Mr Baird said.

“The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will be the first Supercars race ever held in Newcastle and is another major event secured for Regional NSW.”

The NSW Premier said that the event would be a great way to showcase Newcastle, commenting “having a marquee event, in terms of the V8 Supercars, is a great way to do that.

"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."

Supercars Chief Executive James Warburton welcomed the announcement and said it was an exciting moment for Supercars and the people of Newcastle.

Warburton added “(this) will be a spectacular event that will showcase Newcastle to a huge national and international audience and be a fitting finale to the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.”

The proposed course will include some of the city’s best landmarks, including Nobby’s Beach and Fort Scratchley.

The event has been secured by Destination NSW in partnership with Supercars Australia and Newcastle City Council. The inaugural event will take place in November 2017.

The Coates Hire Sydney 500 will be staged for the last time at Sydney Olympic Park from 2nd to 4th December 2016.

Image: The Plus Fitness sponsored Supercar (top) and the proposed route for the Supercars event around the Newcastle foreshore will be open for community consultation (below, courtesy NSW Government).

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