Planning your day at Surfers Paradise? Here’s the Supercars Gold Coast schedule for Sunday, October 26—from gates and pit walks to the Top Ten Shootout and the weekend-closing Race 29. Times below are local (Gold Coast, AEST) with handy conversions where useful.
Supercars headline sessions (Sunday)
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Supercars Qualifying — Race 29 (multi-phase): 10:00–10:30 a.m.
Sets the provisional order for the shootout. Expect short, busy segments—track position matters around the 2.96 km street circuit. -
Top Ten Shootout — Race 29: 11:35 a.m.–12:05 p.m.
One lap, one chance. The quickest ten from qualifying run solo laps to lock in the first five rows. -
Supercars Race 29 (85 laps / 250 km): 2:10 p.m. local (3:10 p.m. AEDT)
Grid forms on the front straight after the stadium-section driver parade. Two-stop strategies are the baseline; safety cars often shuffle the order at the Beach Chicane.
Quick convert: 2:10 p.m. AEST = 3:10 p.m. AEDT = 12:10 p.m. AWST.
Key fan moments and access windows
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Gates open / early precinct access: from 7:00 a.m.
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Pit Lane Walk (ticketed window): 7:20–8:00 a.m.
Arrive early—entry is capacity-managed and closes promptly to clear the lane for team operations. -
Driver autograph sessions: Late morning in the merchandise precinct (queue early; exact team times vary).
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Podium ceremony: ~4:30 p.m., immediately after Race 29 scrutineering and parc fermé release.
Support category timetable (high-impact sessions)
(Indicative windows; exact minutes can flex for recoveries or barrier repairs.)
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Aussie Racing Cars — Race 3: ~11:55 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Mighty packs, plenty of slipstreaming on the front straight. -
TGRA GR Cup: ~10:25–10:45 a.m. and 1:20–1:45 p.m.
Short, elbows-out sprints that often set up rubber on the racing line before Supercars grid. -
Porsche Carrera Cup / Dunlop Series showcase: Midday and early afternoon slots rotate around the shootout; listen for PA calls and big-screen updates.
What changed after Saturday—and why it affects Sunday’s times
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Shootout locked for both days. After Saturday’s dramatic sessions, Sunday retains the same 11:35 a.m. shootout slot to finalize the front two rows; expect a clean 30-minute block if recoveries are minimal.
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Race 29 stays afternoon. The 2:10 p.m. local start helps track evolution and crowd flow between the beaches, paddock, and grandstands. Warmer track temps can lengthen braking zones into Turn 4 and the Beach Chicane—usually prime time for late lunges.
Getting there and getting around
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Tram and rail: G:link light rail runs frequently; use Surfers Paradise North, Cypress Avenue, or Main Beach stops depending on your gate. Event tickets typically include public-transport access—scan on.
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Road closures: The circuit footprint closes nearby streets from early morning; allow extra time if you’re walking in from Chevron Island or Southport.
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What to bring: Hat, sunscreen, reusable water bottle (refill stations inside), and ear protection—Supercars at full noise through the canyon walls is loud.
How to watch if you’re not at the track
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Australia: Coverage runs all day on subscription TV and streaming, with the race window live from 2:10 p.m. AEST. Free-to-air highlights air later; check local guides.
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New Zealand: Afternoon broadcast mirrors the Australian feed (convert to 5:10 p.m. NZDT for lights out).
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International: Selected partners carry delayed highlights; otherwise follow the official live timing and race centre apps.
Pro tips to catch the best action
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Beach Chicane (Turns 6–8): High commitment, high risk; great for shootout laps.
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Turn 1 braking zone: Overtakes after a tow down the pit straight—arrive before qualifying to see drivers inch to the limit.
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Stadium section (Turns 12–13): The atmosphere spikes here; it’s also where late-race mistakes can decide podiums.
At a glance: Sunday, Oct. 26 (AEST)
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07:00 Gates open
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07:20–08:00 Pit Lane Walk (ticketed)
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10:00–10:30 Supercars Qualifying — Race 29
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11:35–12:05 Top Ten Shootout — Race 29
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14:10 Supercars Race 29 (85 laps)
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~16:30 Podium
That’s your Gold Coast 500 schedule for Sunday—set the alarms, beat the tram rush, and lock in your vantage point before the shootout.
