Gold Coast news 2010-06-01

MONTEIRO CUTS FIRST V8 SUPERCAR LAPS AHEAD OF GOLD COAST RACE

Renowned racer Tiago Monteiro has had his first test of a V8 Supercar ahead of October's Armor All Gold Coast 600, October 22-24.

The Portuguese ex-Formula One driver has been testing (Monday/Tuesday) at Winton Motor Raceway with Centaur Racing, the team in which he will partner Tony D'Alberto in the V8 Supercar Championship Series Gold Coast event.

The 33-year-old World Touring Car driver is one of 18 international drivers from a wide range of racing genres taking part in the event, and was pleased with his first test of the world-renowned V8 Supercars.

"I'm really enjoying it. The car is great to drive," said Monteiro.

"It's heavy and moves around a lot, but it's got lots of power and is really fun. I can't wait to get to Surfers Paradise later in the year."

The Porto, Portugal, resident has competed at the Gold Coast event on the same card as V8 Supercars in the past, racing an Emerson Fittipaldi co-owned Champ Car in 2003.

"I've always liked the Championship. I've always followed it, and obviously even more now that I'm going to do the race. I've been following each of the race weekends and watching the TV footage when I can," said Monteiro.

"It's one of the best Championships in the world, to be honest, in terms of the cars and teams.

"It's very professional, there's big sponsors involved and great drivers race here."

Monteiro is the first international driver entered for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 to enjoy a test ahead of the three-day event in October.

"The Gold Coast race is a huge event. It's a big party. It's a one week party and it's huge for fans and sponsors," said Monteiro.

"It's a really big show and I can't wait to drive one of these V8 Supercars around there. It's going to be really hard, but really enjoyable at the same time.

"The Gold Coast track itself is going to be tricky and bumpy with some nice kerbs to hop over.

"In a Champ Car, it wasn't an easy track, so I'm sure it won't be any easier in these cars.

"They've shortened the track a bit, so that will take some time to get used to, but I generally like street tracks. I'm usually comfortable racing on them, so I'm looking forward to them a lot.

"It's a good thing that I tested here at Winton first. I can't do the (Phillip Island and Bathurst) endurance races, so to get to Surfers without being in the car before would have been very tricky with no room for mistakes, so it is good that we had this test day so I can get a bit of confidence in the car."

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 include two 300km races on Saturday and Sunday of the event, with the international drivers required to complete a minimum of 30% of each of the races. Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased through Ticketek.com.au or on 132 849.

-source: goldcoast600.com.au