Adam Marshall Minister for Tourism and Major Events Assistant Minister for Skills

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 23 November 2017 NEWCASTLE IN POLE POSITION FOR SUPERCARS RACE

Newcastle will take centre stage this weekend as the Coates Hire Newcastle 500, the final race of the 2017 Virgin Australia , zooms into town.

The NSW Government in partnership with the Newcastle City Council secured the Newcastle 500 exclusively for Newcastle for five years.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said local businesses as well as Newcastle’s stunning natural environment would be on show to tens of thousands of visitors and racing enthusiasts watching from around the world.

“The Newcastle 500 is one of the biggest events on the State’s sporting calendar and a significant event for Newcastle and the broader ,” Mr Marshall said.

“More than 150,000 people are expected through the gates this weekend, with many of them staying in local hotels, dining in local cafes and restaurants and enjoying the many adventure opportunities and activities that attract millions of visitors to the region every year.

“Over the next five years the Newcastle 500 will contribute significantly to those numbers, with the event expected to inject more than $57 million to the local visitor economy and attract 81,000 overnight visitors to the city.

“In addition, the race will be broadcast live in Australia and throughout New Zealand and Asia, with Newcastle’s stunning foreshore beamed into millions of homes around the world.”

Newcastle and the wider Hunter region is a key tourism market for NSW and in the year ended June 2017, the city welcomed 4.2 million domestic and international visitors who spent $900 million in the area.

The inaugural event is made even more exciting by the fact the Supercars Championship will be decided in Newcastle, with and Scott McLaughlin separated by just 30 points heading into this weekend’s grand finale.

The Coates Hire Newcastle 500 will take place from 24 – 26 November 2017. For further information and tickets, visit http://www.supercars.com/newcastle/.