Biggest Surfers Paradise Field Since 2001?
Possibly the strongest open-wheel field ever assembled for the streets of Surfers Paradise has been confirmed for next week’s Nikon Indy 300, October 23-26.
A total of 24 drivers - including three former Gold Coast race winners, 10 2008 IndyCar Series race winners, five Indy 500 champions and the famous racing families of Rahal, Andretti and Foyt — will hit the track next weekend.
Well, that’s what they’re saying on the Gold Coast anyway. (And spoon-fed straight from the IndyCar press office I suspect, but haven’t checked to verify that as fact - ed)
The return of former drivers Michael Andretti and Jimmy Vasser to Surfers Paradise as team owners will bring the total number of former Gold Coast race winners on track to five.
Andretti and Rahal will watch on from pit lane as their sons, Marco and Graham, both IndyCar Series race winners, go at it on one of the world’s most demanding street courses.
AJ Foyt IV, the grandson of four-time Indy 500 winner, 1992 Gold Coast race entrant and current IRL team owner, AJ Foyt, will also be making his Queensland debut.
The five former Indy 500 winners include reigning winner and IndyCar Series champion - Brisbane-born Kiwi Scott Dixon.
The field will also include high-profile female driver Danica Patrick, who became the first woman to win a major open-wheel event when the IndyCar Series headed to Japan earlier this year.
On top of that there will be the return of some of the biggest team names in open-wheel racing the likes of Penske, Ganassi, Andretti-Green and Newman/Haas/Lanigan.
The combination of the IndyCar Series field compliments an impressive field of 29 cars that will compete in Round 11 of the V8 Supercar championship on the same weekend.
Nikon Indy 300 General Manager Greg Hooton said he was thrilled at the depth and quality of the field which he suggested could produce one of the greatest races ever on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
“This is one of strongest ever fields we have assembled for the Nikon Indy 300 — the quality of the names on this entry list is just phenomenal,” said Hooton.
(Um, Peter. He’s paid to say that isn’t he? - ed)
“The quality and depth of the IndyCar and V8 Supercar fields and the variety of out support program means that we again have one of the truly great festivals in world motorsports and that is something we can all be tremendously proud of.
“Ticket sales for the event have been strong and I am sure the confirmation of this quality field will be the icing on the cake for so many race fans. A race win at the Gold Coast is a box so many of these guys want to tick, including our own local contingent of Will Power, Ryan Briscoe and Scott Dixon and I am sure their desire is going to give us a fantastic race.”
FAST FACTS:
- A total of 24 drivers will line-up in next week’s race in one of the most spectacular fields ever assembled.
- The field will include three former Gold Coast race winners — Dario Franchitti, Bruno Junqueira and Ryan Hunter-Reay
- Half of the 24 have previously raced on the Gold Coast with Helio Castroneves, Ryan Briscoe, Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Will Power, Graham Rahal, Oriol Servia, Alex Tagliani and Justin Wilson combining with Franchitti, Junqueira and Hunter-Reay having made 49 starts between them.
- Of those 12 previous starters, eight have led laps (Franchitti 62, Junqueira 55, Power 23, Hunter-Reay 15, Servia 6, Wilson 4, Dixon 3 and Tagliani 1)
- The field includes 10 2008 IndyCar Series race winners Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Danica Patrick, Will Power, Ryan Briscoe, Dan Wheldon, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Tony Kanaan, Graham Rahal and Justin Wilson
- The field also includes five former Indy 500 winners including Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves, Dan Wheldon and Buddy Rice.
P.S. WOW: Look Peter, you get the pleasure of seeing both The Danica AND Ms. Judd!
Not only that, but Helio gets a get out of “jail” free card. AND topless girls are A-OK!
Aren’t you just the luckiest Aussie on the planet!
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Well thank bloody God it’s a full field of cars, the last couple of years have been a joke, both in grid numbers & quality drivers……Nelson Phillipe got a win!!!!
I can over look the fact that their driving crapwagons (no offence Mr Dallara, not your fault) but they had better get their act together for next year.
According to Tony George he has to actually “see” the event to form a opinion. Maybe the moronic fool could concentrate on a few points.
A title sponsor, a full weekend event, support races, full stands - in fairness to that dickhead TG he has never seen full stands outside of the IMS in May - trackside signage sold to local sponsors &………oh why bother going on the idiot won’t “get it”.
I wonder if TG will be bringing open-wheel “expert” & IRL marketing consultant Gene Simmons.
Just look how passionite Gene is about motorsport in this video, most people would give their right arm for an opportunity like this.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=qgwDh3urq28
Did I mention Tony George could not organise a orgy in a brothel?
Did you mention that Helio is getting a “get out of jail free” card to come and race? It’s pending the Fed prosecutor’s approval, but should happen.
If he goes, what are the odds of him skipping out on bail and pulling an Amelia Earhart act and disappearing some where over the pacific coming home??
Peter, did you mention TG couldn’t organize a good arson fire in a match factory?
No I didn’t, but I also forgot to mention that the organisers pay the travel costs of the teams for the event.
As for Helio skipping out, didn’t he put down a huge bond? How many million was it?
If he runs it’s Brazilian stockcars (not a bad series) for twinkle toes.
His bond was 10 million but if he only put up 10% in assets to pay a bondsman it may not hurt as much as losing way more than that in penalties interest and back taxes, not mention jail.
But then he’d have some bounty hunter chasing his ass.