We’re headed to the sunshine state for round 13 of the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, as the streets of Surfers Paradise host to the second enduro of the season, the Gold Coast 600.
After a double top-10 finish, and a podium for James Courtney and Jack Perkins at the Bathurst 1000 just over a week ago, the Team is itching to get back out on a racetrack, one that has been friendly in the past.
The weekend holds two 300km races around the concrete canyon, one Saturday and one Sunday, with a Top 10 Shootout before both races. Everyone will be fighting to make it inside the 10, and get a lap of the track to themselves.
The Gold Coast will be living up to its name weather wise for most of the week. Early indications say there may be a little bit of rain on Sunday, but not to the extremes of 2018, which saw the Sunday race called off.
After James and Jack were on the podium on Saturday last year, Sunday was also looking promising, with Scott Pye and Warren Luff qualifying in fifth and looking strong, while James and Jack were fighting up the front. All that changed when Mother Nature wreaked havoc.
Any major mistake around the streets of the Gold Coast usually results in a car hitting the concrete wall. It’s full commitment, and that’s why we love it.
You have to be aggressive into the chicane along the back straight, and the last corner provides a great opportunity to fire it down the inside; keep an eye out for a few moves to be made there over the weekend.
On-track action gets underway at 10:15am Queensland time this Friday, with the first of three practice sessions.
James Courtney
“I’m really excited to be back on the Gold Coast.
“It was great to stand up on the podium with Jack at Bathurst, that’s two podiums in a row together, so we will be looking to add to the surfboard collection this weekend.
“The car speed in the race was great, so we’ve got to bring that momentum into this weekend.
“It’s a great race, the atmosphere is awesome, I’m sure the weather will turn it on!”
Jack Perkins
“This is a track that is obviously quite special to me, and I’d love nothing more than to grab another win around here.
“Bathurst was awesome, it’s a credit to the work the team were able to do, and the job James did behind the wheel, but we moved on pretty quick and turned the attention to this weekend.
“I would love to walk away with a couple more surfboards this weekend, and continue our run of form together.
“We are also in a strong position in the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, so we will be looking to get as many points as possible in the bank.”
Scott Pye
“It’s always really cool coming to the Gold Coast. The atmosphere is great, everyone gets behind the event, and the track pushes you to the limits.
“Luffy once again did a stellar job at Bathurst, we are working really well together, so we will be having a crack that’s for sure.
“I can’t wait to get out there.”
Warren Luff
“The Gold Coast 600 is always a really cool event, and it’s just around the corner from home which is nice.
“The whole team did a great job at Bathurst, it wasn’t to be for us, but we head in to this weekend confident we can fight for a good result.
“Street circuits are always a thrill, especially when you’re inches off the concrete wall. I love it around here.”