Stretching for 2.7 miles, the circuit required 2,515 concrete barriers, seven bridges, had grandstand seating for 11,500 and 6.2 miles of debris fencing, all of which was erected in the two-week run up to the race.įast and challenging – even the chicanes were tricky – the course soon became a blueprint for street circuit design. The course Dickson had penned essentially followed the coast road, through a series of 90 degree bends onto and off the beachfront, before turning back on to the coast road once more. Unperturbed, Dickson and CART ploughed on and (eventually) common sense prevailed and the race was duly scheduled for March 17, 1991. This led to the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, as an FIA organising body, refusing to support the Surfers Paradise event. FIA President Jean-Marie Balestre had declared 'war' on Indycar racing in 1990, declaring that the FIA would not sanction what it considered 'minor-level' races over international boundaries. Dickson designed a layout and preliminary works began in 1988.īefore the first race had been scheduled, there was controversy. After a brief meeting with State Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen, the event was confirmed for Queensland, and Surfers Paradise was chosen over Brisbane.

Plans for the race were mooted in the late 1980s when Ron Dickson, who held the rights to CART Indycar racing internationally, began looking for a venue in his native Australia. Created originally for the CART Indycar series, the circuit has now established itself as the venue for the final endurance round of the popular V8 Supercar series. Address: Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, Gold Coast Hwy, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, AustraliaĪ street circuit through a coastal resort with grandstands backing onto the beach itself, it's perhaps no surprise that Surfers Paradise on Australia's Gold Cost is a roaring success with fans and drivers alike.

Surfer paradise