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Thrill ride ... international stars treated to some local hospitality ahead of the Gold Coast 600. Source: Jerad Williams / News Limited
A stack of international drivers have descended on Australia to mixing it up with our local V8 Supercar heroes at Surfers Paradise this weekend.
Here at SPEED, we thought we would help out by giving you the rundown on who's who of the co-drivers at V8 Supercars' Armor All Gold Coast 600.
This way, if your friends ask if Jeroen Bleekemolen is the latest marquee player to be signed to the A-League, or why the French guy from 'Talladega Nights' is racing this weekend, you can dazzle them with your knowledge!
Sebastien Bourdais Source: News Limited
TeamVodafone
No.1 – Sebastien Bourdais
Age: 33
Nationality: French
Best known for: Four Champ Car titles, constant adversary of Paul Tracy
V8 experience: 2x Gold Coast events
Born in Le Mans, how could Bourdais be anything else but a racecar driver. The man to beat in Champ Car, his four-title streak also included a pair of wins on the Gold Coast streets. He backed it up again with a win last year with Jamie Whincup. Nothing's changed this year, so there's no reason to expect them to be capable of anything less than another win.
Richard Lyons Source: Supplied
No.888 – Richard Lyons
Age: 33
Nationality: Northern Irish
Best known for: GC600 Sunday race winner last year, 2004 All-Japan GT500 Champion, occasional Bathurst co-driver
V8 experience: 3x Bathursts, 1x Gold Coast event
Lyons has more experience than most of the international co-drivers, and was the winner on Sunday last year after getting a last minute call-up to replace the injured Will Power at FPR. Now crossing the floor to join Lowndes, he is once again in a fast car with a fast driver. Another potential winner.
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Ford Performance Racing
No.5 – Will Power
Age: 31
Nationality: Australian
Best known for: Toowoomba's Penske-driving IndyCar star
V8 experience: 1x Bathurst, 1x Gold Coast event
A constant threat for the IndyCar title, Power comes off another big disappointment this year despite being the fastest driver in the series. Has enough V8 experience to be able to punt one of these cars around quickly. Will be wanting to finally post a 'home' win after numerous disappointments in the past.
Mika Salo Source: News Limited
No.6 – Mika Salo
Age: 45
Nationality: Finnish
Best known for: Ferrari's replacement for injured Michael Schumacher in 1999
V8 experience: 2x Gold Coast events
Best known as the 'other' Flying Finn in F1 through the turn of the millennium, since his departure from the sport's top-flight he has established himself as a very fast sportscar driver. Showed last year that his tin-top experience held him in good stead in one of our big, brutish V8s, he and Will Davison were fastest at Wednesday's test day. Definitely a contender.
Nick Heidfeld Source: News Limited
No.55 – Nick Heidfeld
Age: 35
Nationality: German
Best known for: The other fast German in F1.
V8 experience: Nil
With an extensive F1 career, Heidfeld never quite hit the heights of his German contemporaries, Schumacher, Frentzen and Vettel. Nonetheless he is a very quick driver and very highly rated by FPR after Wednesday's test day. Despite his V8 rookie status, is with a team that is fast at Surfers and has shown pace all year, he is a contender for the win this weekend.
Ryan Briscoe Source: News Limited
Holden Racing Team
No.2 – Ryan Briscoe
Age: 31
Nationality: Australian
Best known for: Australia's other Penske-driving IndyCar star
V8 experience: 2x Bathursts, 2x Gold Coast events
A wild child on the track in his early days, Briscoe harnessed his boundless talent after he was cast aside by Chip Ganassi and Toyota after a crash-prone IndyCar season in 2005. Bounced back to become a championship contender for Penske three years later, and is fast in a V8 Supercar: he was fastest in his first V8 Supercar qualifying session at the Sandown 500 in 2006.
No.22 – Darren Turner
Age: 38
Nationality: English
Best known for: Double-Le Mans 24 Hours class winner for Aston Martin
V8 experience: 1x Gold Coast event
Turner did a fantastic job in difficult circumstances for HRT last year, coming in at the last minute to replace the late Dan Wheldon. Has an extensive background in GT and touring cars, and also raced in the DTM for a couple of years. A smart, fast driver who will surely be able to do a solid job in the No.22 car again this year.
No.66 – Peter Dumbreck
Age: 39
Nationality: Scottish
Best known for: Backflipping a Mercedes sportscar into the forest at Le Mans in 1999 at high speed and living to tell the tale.
V8 experience: Nil
There is more to Dumbreck than his aerobatic misadventure in north-western France over a decade ago. An accomplished DTM, Japanese Super GT and sportscar racer, he has plenty of big horsepower, rear-wheel-drive experience.
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Stone Brothers Racing
No.4 – Simon Pagenaud
Age: 28
Nationality: French
Best known for: Very fast sportscar and IndyCar pilot / dead-on Jean Girard impression
V8 experience: 1x Gold Coast event
Don't let his 'Jean Girard' looks and accent fool you, Simon Pagenaud is no joker behind the wheel. He finally got back into an IndyCar this season after showing plenty of promise in lower categories, sportscars, and his lone year as Will Power's teammate in the final year of Champ Car. Very highly-rated by a lot of people who should know.
No.9 – Jeroen Bleekemolen
Age: 30
Nationality: Dutch
Best known for: The Netherlands representative in A1GP, factory Porsche driver
V8 experience: Nil
This combination has possibly the best combination of names in the paddock, and are also contenders. Bleekemolen is a very capable driver with plenty of GT experience with drives in Europe and America. Also a winner in the notoriously hotly-contested Porsche Supercup.
David Brabham Source: News Limited
No.47 – David Brabham
Age: 47
Nationality: Australian
Best known for: having a racing resume as long as the Q1 tower is tall
V8 experience: 8x Bathursts, 1x Gold Coast event
There's far much more to say about Brabs and his decorated career that will fit into just a few lines. He has continued his father's legacy in the sport well, with a win in the coveted British F3 championship, countless sportscar wins including a Le Mans triumph, and a Bathurst win in 1997 with brother Geoff. Has most V8 experience of any co-driver.
Ricky Taylor Source: News Limited
Garry Rogers Motorsport
No.33 – Ricky Taylor
Age: 23
Nationality: American (British-born)
Best known for: Grand-Am Sportscar Series star
V8 experience: Nil
Has one of the lowest Australian profiles of any of the international co-drivers, but don't let that deceive you. Taylor is one of the fastest drivers in Grand-Am, setting several pole positions in the last couple of years against a good quality field. Didn't have the best year championship-wise and will be looking to do well here. Could be the sleeper in the pack.
James Hinchcliffe Source: News Limited
No.34 – James Hinchcliffe
Age: 25
Nationality: Canadian
Best known for: IndyCar racer / Danica Patrick's replacement / 'Manica' Go Daddy ads
V8 experience: Nil
The latest in a long line of fast Canadians, Hinchcliffe has had an up and down career that is very much on an upward swing at the moment with a deal to race IndyCars for Andretti Autosport. After a strong early start to his year it tailed off towards the end. Will be looking to enjoy his time on the Gold Coast and is with a team and driver that can finish in the top five at least.
Stephane Sarrazin Source: Supplied
Brad Jones Racing
No.8 – Stephane Sarrazin
Age: 36
Nationality: French
Best known for: Fearlessly fast sportscar driver / rally driver for Subaru
V8 experience: 1x Gold Coast event
A rarity in this day and age, Sarrazin has proven himself to be fast across a couple of racing disciplines. A winner in Formula 3000, he has also notched up several podiums at the Le Mans 24 Hours, and has also finished in the top-three at the Monte Carlo Rally. Was good enough to be hired by the Subaru World Rally Team, and was Peugeot's go-to man for qualifying at Le Mans at the height of their prototype wars with Audi.
Nicolas Minassian Source: Supplied
No.14 – Nicolas Minassian
Age: 39
Nationality: French
Best known for: Peugeot sportscar racer
V8 experience: 1x Sandown 500, 1x Bathurst
The Frenchman has led a wide and varied career since slipping off the open-wheel ladder. Dumped by Chip Ganassi mid-way through a crash-filled CART year in 2001, he won a NASCAR-style series in Britain, raced for Team Dynamik at the V8 Supercar enduros in 2003, before establishing himself as one of Peugeot's stable of sportscar drivers alongside Sarrazin.
Jamie Campbell-Walter Source: Supplied
No.21 – Jamie Campbell-Walter
Age: 39
Nationality: British
Best known for: Long-time GT and sportscar driver
V8 experience: Nil
Establishing himself as a GT driver in the late '90s, Campbell-Walter is probably best remembered for being the lead driver in the fearsome-looking Lister Storm, taking out the FIA GT Championship in 2000. He dabbled in prototypes for a while, before landing a plum drive with Nissan in the GT1 championship for the last couple of years. Extensive GT experience should be very handy as he gets his head around our V8s.
Gianni Morbidelli Source: News Limited
Dick Johnson Racing
No.12 – Gianni Morbidelli
Age: 44
Nationality: Italian
Best known for: Extensive F1 career in 1990s, including one-off Ferrari drive in 1991.
V8 experience: 2x Gold Coast events
Now in the twilight of his career, Morbidelli has been racing touring cars since leaving F1 after 1997. Races in the International Superstars series in an Audi RS5, posting a pair of wins at Spa-Francorchamps in July. He didn't exactly cover himself in glory at Surfers last year with a bone-headed move that took out Jason Bright, and will be hoping to redress this weekend.
No.17 – Max Papis
Age: 43
Nationality: Italian
Best known for: Being 'Mad Max' Papis, IndyCar racer through late '90s/early 2000s
V8 experience: Nil
A former CART and sportscar star, Papis has spent the last few years trying to carve out a NASCAR career. That recent experience should hold him in good stead when it comes to trying to work out how to get the best out of a V8 Supercar around the tight Surfers Paradise street circuit.
No.18 – Peter Kox
Age: 48
Nationality: Dutch
Best known for: Touring car and sports car racer
V8 experience: Nil
Has one of the longest careers of any of the co-drivers, Kox came up through the junior open-wheel categories before his career stalled before reaching F1. Turning to sportscars and touring cars, he has notched up wins in the BTCC as well as a class win at Le Mans, among works drives for BMW and Aston Martin.
Boris Said Source: News Limited
No.49 – Boris Said
Age: 50
Nationality: American
Best known for: Extensive Trans-Am and GT experience / NASCAR road course 'ringer' / luscious hair
V8 experience: 1x Bathurst, 1x Gold Coast event
Never far from controversy, it was Said who famously called out Greg Biffle after a NASCAR crash at Watkins Glen last year: "He is the most unprofessional little scaredy cat I've ever seen in my life, he won't even fight me like a man. So if someone texts me his address, I'll go see him Wednesday at his house and show him what he really needs. He needs a friggin' whooping, and I'm going to give it to him."
Lesson: don't mess with Boris Said.
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Kelly Racing
No.7 – Marco Andretti
Age: 25
Nationality: American
Best known for: The next generation in a proud American racing dynasty.
V8 experience: Nil
Grandson of Mario and son of Michael, Marco has yet to show the promise he displayed in the early years of his IndyCar career. Speed lives in the Andretti genes, but so does the famous 'Andretti curse' which has prevented the family from returning to the winners' circle at the Indy 500 since Mario's lone win in 1969. Will be hoping the black cloud doesn't follow him to Surfers.
No.11 – Franck Montagny
Age: 34
Nationality: French
Best known for: Renowned sports car racer, raced in F1 for Super Aguri.
V8 experience: Nil
Now one of France's top sportscar drivers, Montagny never quite hit the open-wheel heights he was chasing. Very experienced and very fast, it will be interesting to see how his vast experience translates to our unique V8 racecars.
Graham Rahal Source: Supplied
No.15 – Graham Rahal
Age: 23
Nationality: American
Best known for: The next generation in a proud American racing dynasty.
V8 experience: Nil
Rahal has shown he has both his dad's speed behind the wheel and his business acumen. After losing his IndyCar drive, he spent months knocking on doors and making presentations to sponsors to get back into the cockpit. After a lot of hard work, he found some. Marketable and professional, he's a fine example to any young driver looking to make their way forward in the sport.
Justin Wilson Source: Supplied
No.51 – Justin Wilson
Age: 34
Nationality: British
Best known for: Mark Webber's Jaguar F1 teammate / IndyCar racer / 1.93m height
V8 experience: Nil
Wilson is perhaps the highest-rated IndyCar driver in the series who isn't in a top drive. This is the man that brought long-time minnow team Dale Coyne Racing their first win. A demon on a road course, but watch for issues with the driver change and seat position: while Murphy isn't exactly short, Wilson most definitely isn't.
Marc Lieb Source: News Limited
Tekno Autosports
No.19 – Marc Lieb
Age: 32
Nationality: German
Best known for: Porsche factory sportscar driver
V8 experience: 1x Gold Coast event
Fact: Porsche don't hire mugs to be their factory drivers. Fact: Lieb is a Porsche factory driver. Fresh off a class win at Fuji last weekend, the German returns to Surfers after racing with SBR last year. Will be wanting to have improved his standing-start technique after struggling away from the line on the Saturday last year.
No.91 – Lucas di Grassi
Age: 28
Nationality: Brazilian
Best known for: F1 driver for Virgin in 2010, Pirelli's F1 test driver 2011/12, F3 Macau Grand Prix winner in 2005.
V8 experience: Nil
Di Grassi is another racer whose career stalled at the final hurdle, and couldn't quite make the jump up the grid from F1's minnows. Instead snagged a testing contract with Pirelli, F1's tyre suppliers for the last two years. Was supposed to race here last year, but was replaced at the last minute by Gil de Ferran.
Vitantonio Liuzzi Source: News Limited
Tony D'Alberto Racing
No.3 – Vitantonio Liuzzi
Age: 31
Nationality: Italian
Best known for: F1 racer for Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Force India and HRT / last F3000 champion
V8 experience: 1x Gold Coast event
The nearly-man who never quite fulfilled his lower-category promise when he reached F1, Liuzzi is nonetheless a very quick driver. Showed form on debut last year, and will only be faster now after a year of racing in the International Superstars series – the closest thing Europe has to V8 Supercars. The TDR Falcon has also been on the pace of the three factory FPR cars on the bumpier tracks this year.
Mike Conway Source: Supplied
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport
No.30 – Mike Conway
Age: 29
Nationality: British
Best known for: Two massive Indy 500 crashes, one of which took Will Power out in 2012.
V8 experience: Nil
Forsaking Europe to try his hand at American open wheelers, he broke into the IndyCar Series in 2010. But then he missed most of the year after a violent crash on the last lap of the Indy 500. Bouncing back with a seat at Andretti Autosport in 2011, he won at Long Beach, before losing the ride at the end of the year. A building year at AJ Foyt's team this year came to an end when he decided to quit racing on ovals for good. His drive this weekend will be his first in a tin-top.
Re-live the Gold Coast 600 exclusively in HD, Oct 20 and 21 at 9:30pm EDT on SPEED (512).
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