Council shifts focus from Newcastle 500 to Wine Country 500

A City of Newcastle Council vote may have put the future of the Newcastle 500 street race in even more doubt, but it is still open to a race in the region.

With no Newcastle 500 in 2024, a majority vote from council members at a Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 28 supported the commencement of road and restoration works in the Newcastle East area.

These works conclude the replacement of temporary pedestrian crossings with permanent infrastructure, which is believed to significantly disrupt elements of the Supercars street circuit, including the removal of the permanent section from turns 10 to 11.

It puts the race held in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022 in severe doubt after a contract extension was not renewed for 2024 and instead the Bathurst 500 will kick off the new season despite both Supercars and the NSW Government supporting the street race.

The permanent part of the Newcastle street circuit. Image: Peter Norton

The motion was significantly supported by the City of Newcastle councillors including Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, with only Callum Pull voting against the restoration works.

Despite the major setback for Supercars racing on the seaside Newcastle streets again, the council is not opposed to seeing the category return to its region.

Whilst it is “concluding the City’s relationship with Supercars” the City of Newcastle will “support” the proposed Wine Country 500.

Following the shutdown of the 2024 Newcastle 500, the Hunter Valley region made it clear it is still keen for Supercars when the Cessnock City Council revealed its interest in staging its own 500km race.

At the meeting the City of Newcastle announced in addition to commencing the Newcastle East works, it will support its Cessnock neighbours push for a Supercars race.

“Council supported a notice of motion that notes the resolution of 31 October 2023 concluding the City’s relationship with Supercars, and instead resolved to support Cessnock City Council with the proposed Wine Country 500 as an alternative major event for the Hunter region,” a City of Newcastle statement read. 

Gen3 debuted at Newcastle in March. Image: Peter Norton

“City of Newcastle will now commence road and public domain restoration works in Newcastle East, as previously committed to the community and Heritage NSW, prioritising the replacement of temporary pedestrian crossings with permanent infrastructure. 

“Council will receive a memo advising of next steps, including proposed community consultation before further works in the Heritage Conservation Area are undertaken.”

One day after the City of Newcastle’s meeting, the Cessnock City Council made its Supercars dreams official.

According to NEWCASTLE WEEKLY, the council wrote to Supercars to express interest in staging a round with Mayor Jay Suvaal stating it would be a “terrible shame: for the sport to disappear from the area.

“Motor sports are part of our culture here in the region,” Suvaal told NEWCASTLE WEEKLY.

“News that the Supercars would not be returning to Newcastle in 2024 was a devastating blow to our community.

Cessnock Mayor Jay Suvaal has shown his support behind keeping Supercars in the Hunter Valley region. Image: NBN News

“We have the best racing fans in the country… and it would be a terrible shame for this important regional event to be lost permanently.

“The City of Cessnock is prepared to step up for our region and fully explore opportunities to create the Wine Country 500 in our LGA.

“The Hunter Valley is an ideal destination to host a round of Supercars, with strong tourism visitor numbers, ample accommodation and idyllic surrounds.”

At the latest council meeting, the motion of formally engaging with the Minister for Jobs and Tourism, the Minister for Sport, Destination NSW, State Member for Cessnock and Supercars to discuss the prospect of Supercars racing in the region was put forward and it was carried convincingly with 10 of the 11 councillors in favour.

The next step will be to open formal discussions around the Supercars proposal.

The 2024 Supercars season opener remains in New South Wales, beginning with the Bathurst 500 on February 23-25.

Image: Peter Norton EPIC Sports Photography

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