Gold Coast 500: rain forecast and beach chicane revised

The Gold Coast 500, opener of the Supercars Championship Finals, runs from 23 to 25 October 2026 in Surfers Paradise. Two things dominate the build-up: rain in the forecast for all three days and a revised beach chicane designed to curb the kerb-hopping that went viral.

A wet weekend ahead?

According to the Bureau of Meteorology forecasts quoted by Speedcafe, showers are expected every day. On Friday 23 October, with a maximum of 25 degrees, there is a 75 per cent chance of at least 2mm of rain and a 50 per cent chance of at least 10mm. For Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, the forecast calls for a shower or two, with a maximum of 27 degrees and a 50 per cent chance of at least 2 or 3mm.

On the schedule: two practice sessions and opening qualifying on Friday, then a 250km race on each day of the weekend.

The beach chicane reined in

Supercars confirmed on 16 October that it is cracking down on four-wheel kerb jumping at the beach chicane. Safety concerns were raised last year, leading to a review with Motorsport Australia. The championship is reverting to a mix of tyre bundles and electronic sensors rather than relying only on large, ramp-style kerbs.

• Bundles will sit just over two metres from the lip of the kerb, much further from the track than in previous years.
• An electronic kerb hop loop will be installed at Turn 10, with the option of adding a third bundle.
• The aim: make cars slow on approach while still letting drivers attack the apex kerbs.

Tim Edwards, Supercars' motorsport boss, says the solution will still deliver spectacular kerb-riding and that the change is required for the circuit to meet its Motorsport Australia track licence.

A new track engineer for Kostecki

At Dick Johnson Racing, Tom Moore keeps the lead engineer role for Brodie Kostecki, including on the radio during sessions. George Commins, his usual engineer, fractured his pelvis in the days before Bathurst. Kostecki and Todd Hazelwood still gave DJR its first Bathurst win in seven years. The team hopes to see Commins trackside on the Gold Coast, without putting pressure on him.

Key points

• Gold Coast 500: 23-25 October 2026, opener of the Supercars Finals.
• Rain forecast on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Tyre bundles just over two metres from the kerb and an electronic loop at Turn 10.
• Standings shown by Speedcafe: Matthew Payne 2490 points, Broc Feeney 2285, Brodie Kostecki 2271.