Andy Priaulx to help TeamVodafone at Gold Coast

Three-time World Touring Car Champion joins TeamVodafone for Armor All Gold Coast 600.

TeamVodafone is excited to confirm that three-time FIA World Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, from Guernsey, has been selected as the international driver to don the coveted TeamVodafone race suit for the Armor All Gold Coast 600, the race component of SuperCarnivale- the recently relaunched three day extravaganza that is shaping up to be the biggest event on the V8 Supercar calendar.

Revered as one of the world's most successful and versatile drivers, Priaulx has won three consecutive WTCC titles from 2005 to 2007. He was also the official test driver for the Williams Formula 1 team in 2005 and is a regular starter in one of the toughest tests of endurance racing in the world, the Nurburgring 24 hour race in Germany. Andy Priaulx says he was honoured to be considered and is excited about the prospect of reuniting with Roland Dane who he acknowledges for starting his touring car career.

"Wow, this is going to be fun. For me personally, I'm grateful for the chance to work with Roland again.

"This is the best opportunity I have had yet in V8 Supercars and I can't wait to drive the Surfers Paradise circuit," Priaulx said.

"My schedule this year didn't allow for me to compete in Phillip Island or Bathurst, so when this offer came up I jumped at the chance.

"This is going to be a very special event with the calibre of drivers on show and I feel fortunate to be included in such a stellar lineup of international drivers," he said.

TeamVodafone Principal Roland Dane is thrilled to welcome such a renowned world-class driver to the team.

"We have been extremely interested in Andy for a number of years now but schedules and timing haven't allowed us to proceed any further with our plans to get him in a car.

"Andy's consistent achievements have cemented him as one of the best touring car drivers in the world and I'm sure he will do an outstanding job for us," Dane said.

Steve Owen, who will join defending Champion and current Championship leader Jamie Whincup for the L&H Phillip Island 500 and the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, has been confirmed as the team's second endurance driver for the Armor All Gold Coast 600. Driver pairings for the event will be announced following the Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.

-source: teamvodafone