Sports Sedans ready for Gold Coast street rumble 

The National Precision Sports Sedans are set for their second straight Supercars round at the Gold Coast 500, with the 2023 title to be decided on the streets of the Surfers Paradise.

With another sensational field set to do battle in the series’ first ever visit to the Gold Coast, 28 machines will tackle the fast kerbs and narrow streets to decide the championship.

After taking out the Bathurst 1000 in his Iconic Alfa Romeo GTV, Tony Ricciardello is on course for an incredible 12th national title.

After his efforts at Mount Panorama, Ricciardello gave AUTO ACTION his thoughts on taking the Alfa to the Gold Coast 500.

“The car has come straight to Queensland, and before Bathurst it had gone back to Perth from SMP, so it’s a turnaround of only two weeks for this one,” he said.

“The car was freshened up ahead of Bathurst, but we’ve come to Queensland with a list of what needs doing, and that presents another big challenge in itself.

“This track has big kerbs, walls everywhere, it’s a bumpy street circuit, there’s lines on the road…its just a completely different experience that Sports Sedans haven’t had for a while.

“And coming down the streets of Surfers Paradise…mate, these things are going to sound awesome.”

Caruso will be looking to find his lighting qualifying speed from Bathurst at the Gold Coast 500. image: John Morris

But the championship is far from clinched, because the John Gourlay built Audi A4 driven by defending champion Jordan Caruso will certainly have a say in making sure that’s not the case.

Caruso is only 59 points behind the former Supercars driver, leaving a salivating battle between two of Australia’s fastest and best looking race cars.

There’s also yet a third driver that is in reach of the title, and that’s the ever consistent Ashley Jarvis in his Holden Monaro. 

Jarvis is only one point in arrears of Caruso, but he’d likely need the two big front runners to hit mechanical strife, which with these finely tuned and aggressive machines, is never out of the question.

Jarvis is an outside chance to take his maiden National Sports Sedans title. Image: John Morris

There’s some big guest appearances in some very fine cars making their series debuts this round, with two Dunlop Super Series drivers set to take on a field of Sports Sedans stalwarts.

Cameron McLeod is the one to look for, with the rising star of Australian motorsport set to pilot a brand new MARC GT SS.

This 6 L V8 with its full Mustang Silhouette, no ABS and new wheel and tyre package could be a serious challenger, and with the talent of McLeod behind the wheel, Friday’s practice session will be fascinating watch as to what time he puts out against the big three of Ricciardello, Caruso, and Holden Calibra of Steve Tamasi.

McLeod will pilot the brand new MARC GT SS in his National Sports Sedand debut

The other Dunlop Series driver to hit the streets of the Gold Coast is Super2 and Trans Am driver Nash Morris, who will steer the MARC Ford Focus that Ronan Murphy piloted at the Bathurst 1000.

The Sports Sedans will enjoy yet another weekend of full coverage on the available channels, which is another litmus test for an expansion of its Supercars involvement in 2024, and it’s a test in which they’ll once again flourish, and one that the paddock itself and the fans will absolutely love…and if you’re at the race this weekend, it’s a must visit garage.

First in best dressed. Ryan Humfrey’s lonely XE Falcon waiting for its mates in the Gold Coast 500 paddock.

National Precision Sports Sedans Gold Coast 500 track schedule (AEDT)

Friday

Practice 1 – 11:00 – 11:20

Practice 2 – 13:45 – 14:05

Qualifying – 15:55 – 16:15

Saturday 

Race 1 – 10:00 – 10:20

Race 2 – 1330 – 1350

Sunday 

Race 3 – 12:00 – 12:20

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The P word also gets a run. The ongoing GT4 saga and a tribute to Allan Horsley.