What’s On – Thrifty Newcastle 500

The 2023 Repco Supercars Championship hits the streets of Newcastle, launching the season with the next generation of Supercars making their much-anticipated debut! It’s Camaro vs Mustang on track for the first time, marking the start of a new era for the sport.

Support Categories

There are three Support Categories on the Thrifty Newcastle 500 schedule this year which include:

 - Dunlop Super2 and Super3 Series

 - Gulf Western Touring Car Masters

 - Battery World Aussie Racing Cars Super Series

Drivers Breakfast

Spend a morning with your favourite drivers at a superb on-track location!

Kick off your 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 with breakfast, live entertainment and Q&As with all 26 Supercars drivers. Don't miss your opportunity to hear from your favourite drivers on the eve of the Gen3 debut!

This will be a fantastic morning which is not to be missed with all proceeds going to the Thrifty Newcastle 500 Official Charity, the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Date: Thursday 9th March

Tickets cost: $89.95

Reserve your seat now! 

Supercars Signing Sessions

Come along and meet ALL 25 Supercars Drivers at the Newcastle City Council Supercars Signing Session!

Fans are welcome to join the fun and bring along one item per person to be signed.

Date: Thursday 9 March
Time: 5pm - 6pm
Location: Gregson Park (Off track)

Be sure to arrive nice and early to grab an autograph from your favourite driver or drivers.

Our team will be handing out FREE posters for fans so make sure you come along and meet your heroes before they get behind the wheel!

SUPERCARS DRIVER AUTOGRAPH SESSION
When: Saturday 9:20AM - 10.00AM
Sunday 9.00AM - 9.30AM
Where: Main Oval, Front of Concert Stage

Don't forget to join us again as we meet our future heroes! Our Dunlop Super 2 and Super 3 Drivers are keen to meet the fans and sign a few autographs.
Who knows, you might meet a future Repco Bathurst 1000 or Championship winner!

DUNLOP SUPER 2 AND SUPER 3 DRIVER AUTOGRAPH SESSION
When: Saturday 11:45AM – 12:15PM
Where: Main Oval, Front of Concert Stage
Free posters will be available for patrons at the designated autograph sessions.

Drivers Breakfast

Spend a morning with your favourite Supercars drivers at a superb location on track.

Kick off your Supercars with breakfast, live entertainment, Q&As with all 25 drivers and driver signing opportunities.

It's a morning not to be missed in an unbeatable location.

Grab your tickets today from: rescuehelicopter.com.au/events 

All proceeds benefit the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service

Entertainment

Fans will be treated to two huge nights of entertainment with a record number of artists forming the line-up for the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500. Concert access is included in all same day event tickets.

Concert

ICEHOUSE will headline the opening night of entertainment on Friday 10 March, supported by enigmatic Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens and The Screaming Jets.

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.

Pacific Park Fun Zone

Bring the kids because they are going to LOVE the Family Zone located in the heart of the precinct in Pacific Park.

The ever popular Super Kids Zone will be here for the duration of the event as well as loads of other entertainment to keep the kids occupied and happy for hours.

Hours of operation: 10am - 4pm

Super Kids Zone

The Super Kids Zone is back!

Bring the kids along to test their super skills and test their skills as part of the Supercars crew!
The Super Kids Zone is located in Pacific Park and will offer young fans plenty of opportunities to enjoy a range of great activities including an inflatable racetrack with bikes, trikes and carts, a speed reaction game, tabletop activities focusing on patience and skills of steering, and the SuperKids Pit Stop Challenge.

All children 12 and under receive free entry with a paying adult.

Merchandise

We're revving up our engines to kick off the 2023 season with the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 Official Merchandise range. Now available on the Supercars Shop or find us at the track at the following locations:

1. Gate 1A –  Supercars & Event range
2. Hair Pin at Turn 12 – Event Range
3. Pacific Park – Event range

Grab your gear now!

Visit Newcastle

Newcastle has that energising combination of cultural cool and laidback beach vibes that make it the perfect spot for a short break. Start the day with a dip in the Southern Hemisphere’s largest ocean pool at Merewether Beach and explore the city’s many galleries. Pepper the day with delicious food: from sweet delights from Cakeboi to fine dining at the historic Signal Box. Hire a bike and ride past red gums and waterfalls or learn about the city’s fascinating past at the Newcastle Museum. A weekend in this coastal city will leave you feeling new.

Anthem Singer

Newcastle local Amanda Barrass will be performing the Australian National Anthem for the Thrifty Newcastle 500.  Classically Trained and professionally singing from the age of 15, Amanda has performed in bands, musicals and as a soloist both locally and around the state.

Food and Drink

Check out the Track Map for a number of great food and drink options whilst you are at the event!

Noah's On The Beach

Noah's is a fantastic trackside location opposite the beach. Noah's are offering lunch packages on event days. Contact them direct to book.

Flair's Trials MX

When: Time TBC (4 shows daily)

Where: Inside Hairpin

Showcasing Australia’s top Freestyle Trials Riders, FLAIR’s Show is a dynamic performance displaying Trials Motorcycles and Bicycles being pushed to their limits. The team performs on custom built set-ups, crossing the boundaries between Trials, BMX and Freestyle Moto-X. As the pioneers of Freestyle Trials in Australia, FLAIR has become highly regarded for their regular performance as the FLAIR Freestyle Trials Team / FLAIR Riders throughout Australasia.

Decked Out Creative Workshops

When: Friday - Sunday

Where: Pacific Park

Be inspired by Supercars and get creative!

Register your child/children to join gifted artist, Mitch Revs and his team at his trackside workshop to design and create their very own skate deck at the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500.
Professional Artist's will guide kids through a 2-hour workshop to create their own masterpiece.

AGES : 8 - 15yrs
THEME : Supercars
WHERE : Thrifty Newcastle 500
WHEN : March 10,11,12
Ticket includes:
• 2 hour guided Workshop
• Skateboard
• Materials
• Mitch Revs Show bag valued at $25

Register your child/children now.

Matt Hall Aerial Display

The action isn't limited to the track!

Red Bull Air Race World Champion, Matt Hall, will be thrilling fans with a spectacular aerial display over the race precinct on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 March.

A former Royal Australian Air Force 'Top Gun', Hall claimed seven wins and 25 podium finishes in his air race career, making him the most successful pilot in the competitions' modern era.

3x3 Champions League Basketball

Australia’s leading 3x3 provider, CLB3X3 is excited to announce it will be joining the exhilarating line up of family entertainment at this year’s Thrifty Newcastle 500.

Set up as 2 full half courts inside the well-known frog pond at Foreshore Park, CLB3X3 will bring you 3 days of 3x3 basketball action, including slam dunks, 3-point shoot outs, tunes, Junior , Opens & Elite showcases, prizes, prize money and more for all the family to enjoy.

Friday will be a day of free Come and Try 3x3 Sessions and 3-point shoot outs, Saturday will play host to our Junior categories, Under 13, Under 15’s and Under 18’s and;
Sunday will see our Opens and Elite players battle it out on the half court from 12pm with some of Australia’s top 3x3 players.

Plenty of action, fun and court time for all skill levels and ages, along with a few exciting announcements to come.

To register your team head to https://clb3x3.com/events/clb3x3-thifty-newcastle-500/

Registrations will close 48 hours prior, and all players must create their official FIBA3x3 profile (https://play.fiba3x3.com/signup) before registering their team.

What’s happening with Thrifty at the Thrifty Newcastle 500

If you are eager to beat the line in for race 1, Blue Chip members can ‘skip the que’ through the Thrifty Blue chip express lane at Gate 1.

Between the excitement of the Supercars races be sure to stop by the Thrifty Carnival, located between Entry Gate 1 and Gate 2 at Turn 1. Enjoy fun and games for the whole family, including classics like Plinko, High Striker, Laughing Clowns and Spin and Win. The Thrifty Carnival is also the perfect space to grab some food and drinks, watch the race on the big screen and enjoy live music performances across the weekend.

Looking for the best seats in the house? Situated at the prime Turn 1 location, the Thrifty Blue Chip Recharge Retreat is the ultimate destination to watch all the Thrifty Newcastle 500 action take place. With the track side viewing and screens, sit back and relax while enjoying complimentary goodies.
To enter the Thrifty Blue Chip Recharge Retreat simply show your Blue Chip Membership number to the Thrifty team upon entry – its that easy!
Not a Blue Chip Member? Sign up today to score entry and 15% off every Thrifty Car Rental.

Deal hunters, this one’s for you!

Thrifty will be running a secret circuit in and around the track precinct between Friday 10th March – Sunday 12th March. There will be 11 QR codes spread the Thrifty Newcastle 500 precinct, giving punters the chance to win some awesome prizes.
To play, just find the QR codes and scan to unlock your prize. Each location has the potential to win a range of thrilling prizes, so find them all to score!

What are the prizes? Deal hunters can win any of the below:

• Supercars merch pack
• Double passes to either of Repco Bathurst 1000, Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 or Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight
• Supercars grid walk, course car ride or pit lane tour
• Up to 30% off with Thrifty
• Up to $100 off Thrifty car rental voucher

The Garage

The Garage is located near the hairpin with incredible track views across turn 10 / 11, and best of all, it’s free for all fans!

The Garage is so much more, too. You can get hands-on with the Repco Pitstop challenge or race your mate on the Repco slot cars. Repco also have tonnes of games and giveaways, so head down and check It out!

For all things supercars and motorsport, visit The Garage online for exclusive competitions, community, Latest news, videos and more.

Repco Pit Stop Challenge

When: Various times across Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Inside Hairpin

The ultimate Pitstop Experience pits fans against the clock as they simulate a refuelling service on a Ford Mustang Supercar.
Participants need to insert the air spike, change the front and rear tyres, couple the fuel nozzle and then release the spike to complete the stop.

Team Army

When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Inside Gate 1A and on track during entertainment sessions

Project Digger is the Army’s latest recruitment tool. Based on a 1978 Ford LTD, Project Digger is powered by a blown 460 cubic inch Big Block Ford engine and develops nearly 700 hp at the back wheels. Armygeddon was the first burn out vehicle developed by Team Army. Based on a 6 x 6 Land Rover (the vehicle is a Veteran from the East Timor campaign), Armygeddon is fitted with a LS1 and develops over 600 hp.

These V8 show stoppers are loud and aggressive and are sure to put on an epic show when they hit the track over the weekend. Come and meet the Defence Force team behind these two weapons and find out more on defence recruitment at their display in merchandise alley.

Supercars Drivers Parade

When: Sunday

Time: 09:50am

Where: On Track

Be sure to catch all the Supercars drivers as they take a lap around the track.

Creative Sensory Spaces

The Sensory Zone is a dedicated space for visitors to rest and reset. The space features a welcoming and magical 'sensory garden' that encourages people to wander inside, sit back and relax in comfort, taking the time they need to recharge and re-enter the event. Created by Dr Bliss Cavanagh of Creative Sensory Spaces, the Sensory Zone offers an inclusive and accessible environment for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Helicopter Joy Flights

Experience the Newcastle 500 Supercars circuit from above with your very own ‘Hot Lap’. This flight will showcase the entire Supercars Circuit as well as Newcastle’s stunning panoramic view including the Foreshore and Coastline. Up to 10 minutes of time in the air. 

This year we have partnered with CoastXP to bring you boat transfers from Honeysuckle Wharf to our helipad at Carrington, to save you over 20 minutes of time walking over. This will help you maximise your time at the Supercars.

Buy together and save! The boat will be running between 10am-3pm Saturday and Sunday every half hour *pending numbers

F-35 Aerial Display

About Flight Lieutenant Ross ‘Bunga’ Bowman:

Flight Lieutenant Ross ‘Bunga’ Bowman is currently an F-35A Lightning II instructor at No. 2 Operational Conversion Unit based at RAAF Base Williamtown.
Bunga previously joined the Royal Australian Air Force as an Aircraft Technician working on F/A-18A Classic Hornet before commissioning to pilot. Bunga then flew the F/A-18A for five years before transitioning to the F-35A and is the current Aerobatic Display Pilot.

Show Us Your Colours!

Enter the Thrifty Newcastle 500 via Gate 1A (Main Gate on Wharf Road) and you could win a spot prize!

We have Supercars merchandise, team gear and more up for grabs simply by wearing your supporters gear.

Don't have your race-day attire sorted? No problem! Jump over to the Official Supercars Merchandise Store and they will hook you up!

CHECK IT OUT!

Supercars Competition Terms and Conditions 

‘Show Your Colours’ Giveaway – 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 (Event) 

1. Information on how to enter forms part of these terms and conditions.   

1. The competition will take place at the 2023 Thrifty Newcastle 500 on 10 March, 11 March and 12 March 2023 (Giveaway Days). 

1. Entry is only open to Event ticket holders.  

1. To enter, entrants must wear clothing which bears logos, brandings or colouring related to a 2023 Repco Supercars Championship team and enter the Event via Gate 1A. 

1. An individual entrant can only enter once.  Multiple entries per individual entrant will not be accepted and the entrant will be excluded from the participation in the competition. 

1. Twenty winners will be picked at random on each of the Giveaway Days to win Repco Supercars Championship merchandise valued at AUD$100 each (Giveaways).  

1. The Giveaways will commence at 8am (AEDT) on each Giveaway Day and close each day once 20 Giveaways have been won or 12pm, whichever occurs first (the Promotional Periods).  

1. Winners will be notified in person by a representative of the Promoter.  

1. If a winner does not accept a Giveaway from the Promoter, the Promoter reserves the right to pick an alternative winner.  

1. The Promoter’s decision is final and binding – no correspondence will be entered into.  

1. If any prize (or part of any prize) is unavailable, the Promoter, in its discretion, reserves the right to substitute the prize (or that part of the prize) with a prize to the equal value and/or specification, subject to any written directions from a regulatory authority.  

1. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be taken as cash.  Stated prize values are the recommended retail value (including GST) in Australian dollars as provided by the supplier and are correct at the time of printing. 

1. It is a condition of accepting the prize that the winner must comply with all the conditions of use of the prize and the Promoters reasonable requirements. The winner may be required to sign a legal release in a form determined by the Promoter in its absolute discretion.  

1. In the event of war, terrorism, state of emergency or disaster, the Promoter reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the promotion, subject to any written directions from a relevant regulatory authority.  

1. The Promoter reserves the right to refuse to allow a winner to take part in any or all aspects of the prize, if the Promoter determines, in their absolute discretion, that a winner is not in the mental or physical condition necessary to be able to safely participate in the prize.  

1. If for any reason whatsoever a winner does not take an element of the prize at the time stipulated by the Promoter, then that element of the prize will be forfeited by the winner.   

1. If this promotion is interfered with in any way or is not capable of being conducted as reasonably anticipated due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter, the Promoter reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to the fullest extent permitted by law (a) to disqualify any entrant; or (b) subject to any written directions from a regulatory authority, to modify, suspend, terminate or cancel the promotion, as appropriate.  

1. Entrants must only enter in their own name. The Promoter reserves the right to request the winners to produce appropriate photo identification or other documentation (to the Promoter’s satisfaction, at its sole discretion) in order to confirm their identity, age, eligibility to enter and claim a prize and any information submitted by the entrant in entering the promotion before issuing a prize. If the documentation required by the Promoter is not received by the Promoter (or its nominated agent) or the winning entrant has not been verified or validated to the Promoter’s satisfaction within the time requested, that winner’s entry will become invalid. The prizes will only be awarded following any winner validation and verification that the Promoter requires in its sole discretion.  

1. Except for any liability that cannot be excluded by law, the Promoter (including its officers, employees and agents) excludes all liability (including negligence), for any personal injury; or any loss or damage (including loss of opportunity); whether direct, indirect, special or consequential, arising in any way out of the promotion, including, but not limited to, where arising out of the following: (a) any technical difficulties or equipment malfunction (whether or not under the Promoter’s control); (b) any theft, unauthorised access or third party interference; (c) any entry or prize claim that is late, lost, altered, damaged or misdirected (whether or not after their receipt by the Promoter) due to any reason beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter; (d) any variation in prize value to that stated in these Terms and Conditions; (e) any tax liability incurred by a winner or entrant; or (f) use of the Prize. The entrant agrees not to bring any claim or proceeding against Promoter (including its officers, employees and agents) for any damage, loss, injury or liability you may suffer in participating in this competition or otherwise connected with you accepting and performing the prize.  

1. By entering this competition, the Promoter will collect the personal information the entrant will have to provide to participate. If an entrant wins the competition (the Winner), the Promoter may collect further information from the Winner. The Promoter may also be required by gaming and lottery legislation to collect some of the personal information. If the Promoter does not collect some or all of this information, the Promoter may not be able to allow the entrant to enter the competition or provide the prize to the Winner. 

1. The Promoter collects this information to administer the competition and fulfil the prize, and promote and market products and services of itself and its partners. The Promoter may also use the personal information to conduct research and to plan and develop its product and marketing strategies.   

1. The Promoter may disclose Entrant’s personal information to: 

1. entities who assist the Promoter in administering the competition and fulfilling the prize, and other prize suppliers and deliverers; 

1. marketing, research, and communications agencies; 

1. the Promoter’s partners who will use and disclose it for similar purposes and subject to its privacy policies; 

1. the authorities responsible for the regulation of gaming and lotteries and other government agencies, where applicable; and 

1. other parties where required by law. 

1. By submitting an entry into this competition entrants consent to receive promotional and other marketing communications from the Promoter (including messages sent electronically for an unlimited period of time).  Entrants will be able to opt-out at any time by following the instructions included in each communication sent by the Promoter.  The Competition Winners’ names may also be published as and/or required by relevant gaming and lottery legislation.   

1. The Promoter will handle your personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy Please read Supercars privacy policy available on Supercars’ website at https://www.supercars.com/privacy-policy/ which tells you how we use any personal information we may collect about you by entering a promotion. 

1. You may request access and/or to update, correct or delete your personal information or lodge a complaint about a privacy breach by writing to the Promoter.  If an Entrant does not wish to receive marketing or research communications from the Promoter or for the Promoter to provide Entrant’s personal information to the Partner, the Entrant is required to contact the Promoter at privacy@supercars.com 

1. Any term in these Terms and Conditions that is either wholly or partly unenforceable will be severed to the extent necessary to make the remaining terms of these Terms and Conditions enforceable.  

1. The Promoter V8 Supercars Australia Pty Limited (ACN 077 053 484), Level 34, Suite 02 100 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060.