Queensland MP Ray Stevens applauds Morris; bring on the Gold Coast

Queensland MP Ray Stevens has paid tribute to Paul Morris' 23 year year Bathurst breakthrough and praises the Castrol Edge Gold Coast 600.

Stevens, the Queensland Member for Mermaid Waters, addressed Parliament to acknowledge Morris' victory with Chaz Mostert and looks forward to the states largest sporting event on the Gold Coast, urging people to get along.

Mr Stevens' full address:

This afternoon I rise in the House to pay tribute to another Queensland sporting hero who arrived at the pinnacle of his profession at the weekend by becoming 'King of the Mountain' at Bathurst in the running of the time honoured annual V8 Supercars event, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Gold Coaster Paul 'The Dude' Morris, at the tender age of 46, delivered on a lifelong dream by being first across the line with his co-driver Chaz Mostert in the Ford V8 supercar at Bathurst 1000 2014 after 23 previous attempts.

There is no doubt that Mount Panorama holds pride of place in the hearts and the minds of Australian revheads. From the early years when Cooper Ss dominated the race through to the Torana years to the Aussie icons slugfest of recent years of Holden versus Ford, to win Bathurst is the ultimate dream of Australian drivers as a national championship without parallel.

Paul has been supported by his powerfully family oriented parents, Terry and Lurleen Morris, throughout his long and dedicated race-driving career and it is fitting that they all share the accolades of this magnificent win as a culmination of a family passion delivered in the twilight years of Paul's driving career.

Paul's success is the perfect segue to remind Gold Coasters of our own fabulous V8 Supercar event on Gold Coast streets in two weekends time, the Gold Coast 600.

This is a fantastic opportunity for all Gold Coasters and Queenslanders to smell the high octane and enjoy the trackside activities firsthand. It is another example of the Newman LNP government and the tourism minister, the Hon. Jann Stuckey, financially supporting motor car racing in Queensland so that all Queenslanders can enjoy the thrill, feel the vibe and soak up the atmosphere of V8 Supercars racing on the Famous for Fun Gold Coast.

It is important for Gold Coasters to show their support for this event through attendance on the track for motor racing enthusiasts, as the ongoing continuation of these major sporting commitments very much depends on public support.

Ladies and gentlemen: start your engines for the most fun filled ride you can ever have in paradise.