- intouch Magazine
Start Your Engines Newcastle | The Fun Starts Here!
The Repco Supercars Championship is returning to Newcastle on 10 to 12 March, for the first time since 2019, after cancellations due to the COVID pandemic from 2020 to 2022. Newcastle previously hosted the season finale between 2017 and 2019, but this year the city will be hosting the season opener and cementing its place as a global events city. As a result, Newcastle will come alive with the most anticipated event on the city's sporting calendar and an incredible lineup of live entertainment and community events for all the family to enjoy.
Thrifty Car Rental has partnered with Repco Supercars, and the opening race will be known as the Thrifty Newcastle 500. Thrifty has also become the Official Hire Car Partner for the next two years.
Thrifty's Vice President, Eoin MacNeill, said on signing the partnership: "We are excited to partner with Australasia's leading touring car category, the Repco Supercars Championship, on this new multi-year deal. Supercars has a national footprint, and we are thrilled to be working with them to deliver world-class events from 2023 when we welcome the Gen3
Mustang and Camaro to the grid."
The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship launches the season in Newcastle, with the next generation of Supercars making their muchanticipated debut. It's Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time, marking the start of a new era for the sport.
"Newcastle was the perfect choice to kick off the Gen3 era for Supercars," said Supercars Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer Mark Pejic. "The city's passion for motorsports meant there was no better way to usher in the introduction of the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang than on one of our iconic street circuits in New South Wales' second largest city."
There will be 15 Camaros and 10 Ford Mustangs on the 2023 Supercars grid in Newcastle. Drivers first got behind the wheel of their new Gen3 cars in January with the firstever races between the Gen3 Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro to be held at the Thrifty Newcastle 500 in March. Gen3 marks the first major technical overhaul for Supercars' teams since 2013 and has been designed to improve racing – cars will have the ability to follow more closely than in previous years. Gen3 is unchartered territory for both drivers and teams as they face an unforgiving concrete jungle in Newcastle with the potential to shake up the normal pecking order of teams and drivers.
There are no new teams in the Repco Supercars Championship this season, but there are three rookie drivers, and several existing drivers are moving to new teams. Reigning Super2 Champion Declan Fraser and young guns Cameron Hill and Matt Payne will be making their full-time Supercars Championship debuts in Newcastle. Cameron Hill is the first full-time Canberra-born driver in 19 years and has the weight of the nation's capital on his young 25-year-old shoulders. Matt Payne, who won the prestigious Mike Kable Young Gun Award in 2022, is a New Zealand Karting protégé and is tipped to be Supercars next Kiwi superstar.
Tim Slade, who has changed to a new team (PremiAir Racing) this season, will celebrate his 400th career race start in Newcastle. Walkinshaw Andretti United driver and two-time Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert will trade his Gen2 Commodore for a Gen3 Mustang in 2023. The team has campaigned Commodores since its inception under the Holden Racing Team banner in 1990. Three-time champion Shane van Gisbergen will be looking to continue his dominance in the series; however, he will need to do it in Gen3 machinery.
This year's race is the last in the existing agreement between City of Newcastle and Supercars. Council have committed to partner with Destination NSW to prepare and publicly exhibit a community engagement plan in order to deliver extensive and broad community and stakeholder consultation on the potential to extend the current Supercars 500 agreement beyond 2023.
"The future of the Newcastle 500 beyond the final race is a decision of the NSW Government in the first instance as the consent authority for the race," said Newcastle Lord Mayor Cr Nelmes.
"The Thrifty Newcastle 500 delivers more than $35 million annually in total economic impact and provides a significant stimulus to local tourism and accommodation providers, as well as supporting local jobs. Local tourism and accommodation providers that COVID-19 has heavily impacted will be looking forward to benefiting from the economic stimulus provided by the Newcastle 500's return this year, and adding world-class musicians across two nights of entertainment will ensure even further support for local businesses, particularly throughout the hospitality and night-time
economy industries."
The COVID cancellations have enabled the team behind Supercars to better plan for their return to Newcastle.
"The COVID cancellations have certainly been a challenge for us," said Mark Pejic. "But we've been able to use the extra time to plan better and prepare for our return to Newcastle, which in 2023 will feature three days of memorable racing plus eight music acts on stage over two massive nights, led by Aussie icons ICEHOUSE and Hilltop Hoods.
"The most exciting thing about the Thrifty Newcastle 500 is the energy and excitement of the fans. We can't wait to see the grandstands filled and streets lined with passionate fans cheering on their favourite teams and drivers."
A General Admission pass is the perfect way to experience three days of full-throttle on-track action (including two huge nights of entertainment with a record number of performing artists), off-track entertainment, displays and activities and great food and beverage options throughout the precinct.
Kids 12 and under receive free General Admission with a paying adult, and return public transport will once again be included for all ticket purchasers. Thrifty Newcastle 500 concert access is included in all same-day event tickets.
ICEHOUSE will headline the opening night of entertainment on Friday, 10 March, supported by enigmatic Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens and The Screaming Jets.
ICEHOUSE is one of Australia's most iconic bands and was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006 as one of the most successful Australian bands of the 1980s and '90s, following international success with hits such as Great Southern Land, Hey Little Girl and Electric Blue.
Led by Dave Gleeson, The Screaming Jets' first-ever performance was at their high school, St Francis Xavier's College, just 4km from the starting line of the famous Newcastle circuit. Jon Stevens will perform the Noiseworks and INXS Collection,
showcasing smash hits from both bands. Jon has put together one of the best backing bands in the country.
Aussie hip hop royalty Hilltop Hoods will headline the Saturday night concert supported by some of the best young acts in the country, Thelma Plum, San Cisco, Newcastle's Trophy Eyes and Trials.
Winners of ten ARIA Awards, including twice being named Best Australian Live Act, six of Hilltop Hoods' eight albums have peaked at number one on the ARIA Charts, the most by an Australian band or group in history.
Thelma Plum is an ARIA Award-winning indigenous artist that amassed an enormous following with the release of her debut album Better in Blak, which was nominated for seven ARIAs.
San Cisco has become one of Australia's most successful independent artists, amassing multiple accolades, millions of streams and critical acclaim through the release of four studio albums, including the band's recent album Between You and Me, which was released in late 2020. The trio has also been successful internationally, touring the world, selling out headline shows and appearing at festivals such as Splendour In The Grass, Lollapalooza and Reading & Leeds.
Trophy Eyes is an Australian punk rock band born and bred in Newcastle that shot to fame with sold-out performances at The Cambridge Hotel, one of the most coveted live music venues in the Hunter Region.
Trials is an indigenous Australian rapper, songwriter and producer that has toured with the Hilltop Hoods, Pete Murray, Drapht, Archie Roach and Paul Kelly.
Both Friday and Saturday concerts will take place within the track precinct at Foreshore Park, just metres from the circuit that will stage the opening races of the 2023 Repco Supercars Championship.
For those looking to truly elevate their race day experience, Fort Scratchley is hosting a unique hospitality treat for Newcastle 500 enthusiasts and their guests on Sunday, 12 March.
Even if cars are not your thing and you are not what we affectionately term a 'rev-head,' there is still plenty of city-wide fun happening off-track. Start your weekend in the city and enjoy the festive atmosphere regardless of whether you have a race ticket. Activations include:
Supercars Driver Signing Session
WHAT: Meet all 25 Thrifty Newcastle 500 Supercar champions and get their autograph.
WHEN: Thursday, 9 March, 4.30pm – 7:00pm
WHERE: Gregson Park, Hamilton
COST: FREE
Meet all your Supercars Championship drivers, get your poster or t-shirt signed and admire all the Newy car club vehicles on display. Bring along some takeaway from Beaumont St or take advantage of the food trucks on site. There will also be plenty of entertainment for kids of all ages.
Family FUN Weekend
WHAT: Experience the buzz of the Thrifty Newcastle 500 from Civic Park with this free, family-friendly weekend featuring an epic 27m-long slide, free face painting and tasty snack stalls. Experience all things art and dance on Saturday with hands-on creativity and messy play for toddlers. On Sunday, local bands will battle it out on stage while community members are encouraged to get involved in the drumming workshops and a silent disco.
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 11am – 3pm
WHERE: Civic Park
COST: FREE
Newy Car Club Vehicle Display
WHAT: Car enthusiasts unite at this stunning display of pristine vehicles from all eras.
WHEN: Friday 10 to Sunday 12 March, 8am – 5pm
WHERE: Newcastle Museum Forecourt
COST: FREE
It's an action-packed weekend in Newcastle with several alternative entertainment options available to ensure fun for all. Visit whatson.newcastle.nsw.gov.au for the full lineup, or seek inspiration from the snapshot below:
Newcastle Fringe Festival
Newcastle Fringe Festival is back for 2023 with two huge weekends of unexpected entertainment and creative performances from 9 – 19 March. Showcasing 398 amazing local and international artists and 135 performances across six venues as well as street activations in Hamilton, there's everything from burlesque to flamenco dancers, comedy and music to kids' theatre shows. Experience the unexpected at Australia's biggest little fringe. Events are to be held throughout the Hamilton Business Precinct and Newcastle CBD. Tickets are available now at www.newcastlefringe.com.au.
Newcastle Comedy Club
Laugh out loud at Newcastle's first dedicated comedy club, which can be found on Darby St in Newcastle. Check what's on
Brawl at City Hall
Featuring championship matches, tag team action, women's wrestling and much more, Brawl at City Hall 2023 turns our town on its head again as professional wrestling returns to Newcastle City Hall on Friday, 10 March. This is a family-friendly event with mild simulated violence and no swearing. Tickets are available at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au.
Other fun things to do off-track include:
• Uncover the outdoor street art and murals decorating our City of Newcastle
• Experience gourmet fine dining, casual cafes and locally produced artisanal delights
• Dive into the refreshing waters at the Merewether Ocean Baths and hit the Bathers Way coastal walk
• Take your pick of beer gardens to experience the best in live music.
Newcastle's Visitor Information Centre is your one-stop-shop for all the insight on what to see, do and explore in Newcastle, plus the best spot to pick up some Supercars souvenirs. Find outmore at www.visitnewcastle.com.au.
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