Gold Coast 600 news 2010-09-01

BRABHAM CELEBRATES 50 DAYS TILL GOLD COAST EVENT

The countdown to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 continues this week with just 50 days remaining until the Gold Coast comes alive across October 22-24.

David Brabham - one of the 18 international co-drivers for the event - was on hand to celebrate Queensland's premier motorsport event today along with his V8 Supercar team-mate Alex Davison and Stone Brothers Racing Team co-owner Jimmy Stone at the team base at Yatala.

Brabham is on the Gold Coast preparing for his season of endurance with the SBR, and will take part in a driver evaluation day tomorrow at Queensland Raceway, ahead of his drives, at not only the Gold Coast, but also Phillip Island and Bathurst with Davison in the #4 IRWIN Ford.

Brabham currently leads the LMP class in the American Le Mans Series with his co-driver Simon Pagenaud for Patron Highcroft Racing and only needs to finish sixth or better in the final round at Petit Le Mans on October 2 to clinch back-to-back titles.

"It is great to be back on Australian soil and to be at the Stone Brothers Racing shop today to spend some time with Alex and the boys before tomorrow's evaluation day," said Brabham.

"I think the concept for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 is fantastic and I cannot tell you the interest it has generated in the US and Europe, not only within the driver ranks, but the general media.

"Obviously Alex and I have endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst where we can learn to work together, so the by the time we get to the Gold Coast in October we should have the Irwin Falcon in pretty good shape.

"Having the chance to race a V8 Supercar in Australia is always a special experience for me, but this will mean even a little more being a part of Ross and Jimmy Stone's team and linking up with Alex in the Irwin Ford."

Davison could not be happier to have one of Australia's most successful international drivers as his partner at his home track this October for what is shaping as one of the World's greatest touring car events.

"I was pushing to have David as my co-driver for the endurance events for some time and when the concept came together for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 he was always going to be my first choice," said Davison.

"I think having David on board for the endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst should provide a great foundation on which we can build on at the Gold Coast.

"It is hard to believe there is just 50 days to go to the event and we have a lot to get done before we actually turn a wheel on the streets of Surfers Paradise in the Irwin Ford.

"David has driven and been successful in so many categories, from Formula 1 down. He is quick, smart and one of the most professional drivers in the business. It will be a pleasure to have him as part of the team."

Stone Brothers Racing co-owner Ross Stone is confident that his pairing will be one to watch over the next 50 days.

"David has been one of the great ambassadors for Australian motorsport for so many years and we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to join us in the Irwin Ford for the endurance events," said Stone.

"The fact that David's dad, Sir Jack, and brother, Geoff, live on the Gold Coast will make this year's Surfers Paradise event even more special. It will be like a family reunion for them and it would be nice to think David and Alex could make their celebrations a little more special with a win in the Armor All Gold Coat 600.

"There is no doubt that having David as part of the Irwin team for Phillip Island and Bathurst will be a valuable bonus for us. He will get the job done."

All of the international drivers for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 are set to arrive on the Gold Coast on the Sunday before the event and will be involved in a week of activity, including a full-day test at Queensland Raceway on Wednesday, October 20.

The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will take place on the streets of the Gold Coast from Friday October 22 to Sunday October 24, with tomorrow (Thursday September 2) marking just 50 days remaining until Queensland's premier motorsport event comes to life.

The event will feature 18 international drivers alongside the V8 Supercar stars by day, and 16 International and Australian acts by night, in a continuance of V8 Supercars' highly successful Rock 'n' Race format.

Tickets are now on sale for the Armor All Gold Coast 600, with Friday admission tickets starting from just $49 and three day passes from just $136, with each ticket providing admission to not only the day's racing but also the same night's entertainment line-up at 600 Sounds. Visit ticketek.com.au or call 132 849 for more information or to purchase.

International Drivers
Please see below for a full list of the 18 international drivers for the Armor All Gold Coast 600. For the two-car teams with one international driver, expect confirmation of which car the international will compete in following the Bathurst endurance event over October 7-10.

- Sebastien Bourdais - France - Dick Johnson Racing
- David Brabham - Australia - IRWIN Racing
- Ryan Briscoe - Australia - Toll Holden Racing Team
- Helio Castroneves - Brazil - Wilson Security Racing
- Scott Dixon - NZ - Jack Daniel's Racing
- Dario Franchitti - Scotland - Jim Beam Racing
- Fabrizio Giovanardi - Italy - Brad Jones Racing
- Patrick Long - USA - Fujitsu Racing
- Alain Menu - Switzerland -Brad Jones Racing
- Tiago Monteiro - Portugal - Centaur Racing
- Gianni Morbidelli - Italy - Triple F Racing
- Yvan Muller - France - Paul Morris Motorsport
- Will Power - Australia - Ford Performance Racing
- Andy Priaulx - UK - TeamVodafone
- Scott Pruett - USA - Lucas Dumbrell Racing
- Mika Salo - Finland - Bundaberg Red Racing Team
- Alex Tagliani - Canada - Kelly Racing
- Jacques Villeneuve - Canada - The Bottle-O Racing Team