PaddockSpy-Grand Prix Blog

A1GP’s maiden visit to the Gold Coast of Australia in October will mean the annual event gets a new event name – the SuperGP.

Late last year it was announced that A1GP World Cup of Motorsport would take over from the IRL IndyCar series as the leading single-seater race series at the world-famous street circuit from October 2009.

The event, formally known as the Gold Coast Indy 300, will now be known as the SuperGP, which is a combination of the A1GP and V8Supercars – the two main racing events on the event programme.

Sport Minister, Judy Spence, officially announced the new name, logo and website in Brisbane for the event which will be one of the highlights of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations.

“2009 is a significant turning point in both the history of Queensland and for this fantastic event,” said Ms Spence.

“The Queensland Government continues to support this iconic event and we know that not only is the SuperGP a fantastic spectacle of the world’s best drivers but it also attracts crowds of 300,000 people each year and provides a $60 million boost to the state’s economy.”

This year’s SuperGP will take place on from October 22-25 and will be one of the first few rounds of the 2009/10 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport series, and round 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series. The event is produced through a partnership between the Queensland Government and IMG.

Ms Spence added: “The SuperGP will provide fans with the best of both worlds with more than countries racing for glory in the A1GP event while V8 Supercar teams battle it out in an event which has traditionally had a huge influence on their championship outcome. This year’s event will offer so many things that are fresh and we look forward to a new-look off-track calendar of events being rolled out over the coming months.”

Tickets will officially go on sale on March 23 through Ticketek and through the event’s new website, www.SuperGP.com.

source: www.a1gp.com