V8 Supercar superstars visit Newcastle

BY JESSICA ROUSE

V8 Supercars superstars visited Newcastle this morning to inspect the circuit for this year's inaugural Coates Hire Newcastle 500 in November.

Drivers James Courtney and Scott McLaughlin were joined by Supercars CEO James Warburton at Fort Scratchley for a tour of the circuit with circuit engineers.

The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will be the grand final of the Virgin Australia Supercar Championship for the next five years.

"We were here a month ago and did a similar sort of thing where we plotted out and worked out where we thought it should go, and its great to see something that you've been a part of the whole way growing and its all starting and all here, and it's fantastic," said James Courtney.

The race will give a huge economic boost to the region of more than $57 million attracting 81,000  visitors over the next five years.

CEO James Warburton with Supercars drivers and engineers at Coates Hire Newcastle 500 circuit this morning. [Image Cole Hitchcock]

V8 Supercars set to roar into Newcastle

BY TYLER FARDELL

Newcastle is set to be the new home of the season ending Supercar championship race next year when it takes over from the Sydney Olympic Park circuit.

Premier Mike Baird made the announcement today alongside champion race drivers Mark Winterbottom, Chaz Mostert and James Courtney.

From left to right; James Courtney, Mike Baird, James Warburton, Mark Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert

"The Hunter has thousands of Supercar fans who now have an event to call their own," he said.

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

The exact route is yet to be decided but the preferred course includes a loop past Horseshoe and Nobby's beach, climbing past Fort Scratchley and into the East end through Pacific, Telford and Watt streets.

Aerial view of the proposed track