Construction underway for Nikon Indy 300

The Gold Coast is a step closer to the 2008 Nikon Indy 300 today; after the first step in construction for the street circuit was completed ahead of the October 23-26 Event with the positioning of the first pedestrian bridge near Tedder Avenue.

Nikon Indy 300 Event Director David Bennett with reigning Bartercard Miss Indy Kate Hockly

Nikon Indy 300 Event Director David Bennett was joined on the Gold Coast Highway this morning by reigning Bartercard Miss Indy Kate Hockly in celebration of this milestone.

Bennett said a focus this year had been on accommodating the changing needs of the newly merged IndyCar Series, while also providing an extra feature for the Event’s fans.

“We are continually looking for ways to improve our motorsport precinct design to keep its working as efficiently as possible, and that process has continued this year," said Bennett.

“With 24 cars coming here from the IndyCar Series, nine more than we have had in recent years, that has required some changes such as more pit bays and team sheds for instance, so that has been a challenge for the design.

“We are now happy with how we have been able to accommodate the series; however the racers aren’t the only ones for who changes have been made.

“The spectators certainly haven’t been forgotten with a new addition to the precinct for them – the Gold Retreat will feature on drivers’ right at the exit from Turn Two.

“The Retreat has been a big hit with fans at V8 Supercar rounds across the country so far this year, so everyone here at the Nikon Indy 300 is very excited about giving our spectators the chance to get on board."

Over the next two months leading into the Nikon Indy 300, the construction schedule will include:

• 2515 concrete barriers (10km) weighing 4 ton each
• 11,500 grandstand seats
• 10km debris fencing
• 16km security fencing
• 9 pedestrian bridges
• 4 over-track signs
• 7 big screens
• 500 televisions
• 160 corporate suites
• 190 temporary sheds, containers & reefers
• 6000 man hours of electrical reticulation
• 100km of cabling
• 500 tons of steel for Pit Buildings
• 1 International Standard Temporary Outside Broadcast Compound
• 700 trackside marshals (fire marshals, trackside, flag, communications, spectator, etc.)
• 900 officials (gates, grandstands, corporate suites, info booths, accreditation centre, media centre, etc.)
• 6000 Permanent residents inside track precinct