The magic weather that greeted Armor All Gold Coast 600 race-goers saw them turn out in their thousands - with the overall crowd up nearly 11,500 on last year's figures to 181,486 - and they were treated to some outstanding entertainment both on and off track.
With Vanessa Amorosi belting out a hit before the start of the race and joining the victorious Ford Performance Racing team on the grid, the stage was set for the epic 300km contest culminating in victory for Mark Winterbottom and Richard Lyons in the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon.
Among the celebrities gracing the Palazzo Versace Trackside Lounge throughout the weekend were Powderfinger bassist, John O'Connor, Collingwood Magpies AFL players, Travis Cloke and Cameron Wood, NRL stars Scott Prince and Gorden Tallis, whilst ironwoman, Hayley Bateup was another enjoying the prime view from the startline suite.
Former World and AMA Supercross Champion, Chad Reed, Triple World Motorcycle Speedway Champion, Jason Crump, three times World Superbike Champion - Troy Bayliss and Tour de France cyclist, Robbie McEwen were some of the two wheeled stars on hand.
Ted Toleman - 1980's F1 team owner and the man who started Ayrton Senna's Formula 1 career - was enjoying the hospitality of the Chairman's Lounge and deep in conversation with both Tony Cochrane and V8 Supercars International Director, Martin Whitaker.
Keeping race-goers abuzz was the second event in the 'V8 Supercars Chillettes' competition - with four winners - Amy Morris, Bekky Carter, Katina Fimmel and Angie Burford - going through to the Finale at the Sydney Telstra 500 in December.
The $5,000 to win Embrace the Race contest drew more outstanding entries from the Sunday crowd- with the victory going to a group of three comprising Victorian Brett Thompson and Surfers Paradisians, Chris Verheyen and Chris Maltman.
Painting their bodies in a trackside theme, the troupe enjoyed the magnificent weather that blanketed the venue - and promised to spend their $5k wisely - partying long into the night.
Last night, a massive crowd turned out for 600 Sounds, presented by Gold FM, featuring legendary Scottish rockers, Simple Minds in the only Australian performance on their current world tour.
The event - in the second year of the international format - has grown significantly with V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane declaring the format "here to stay."
