Team Penske IndyCar star Helio Castroneves says he’s delighted to be returning to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercars event for a second year.
Castroneves will once again pair with Tim Slade in the Stone Brothers Racing prepared #47 Falcon, and has unfinished business to attend to after taking lowly 18th and 19th placed finishes last year.
The 2011 V8 Supercars event will mark the Brazilian’s seventh competitive appearance on the streets of Surfers Paradise, having also raced in the Champ Car races held in Queensland between 1998 and 2001, as well as IndyCar’s sole 2008 appearance.
“You never have to ask me twice about racing on the Gold Coast,” said Castroneves of his return.
“We loved the placed in open wheel cars and to race a V8 Supercar with Tim Slade and the Lucky Seven team last year was a great experience.
“I was delighted when I was asked to come back by team owner James Rosenberg and cannot wait to get back down there.
“It should be a great weekend with an international driver in every car and with many drivers heading back for a second year and with a bit more V8 Supercar experience.
“Everyone is always asking me about the V8 Supercars since I raced on the Gold Coast last year and the announcement of a V8 event in Texas in 2013 has also sparked interest.
“I have to thank Roger (Penske, team principal) and everyone at Team Penske for giving me the chance to come back down to Surfers Paradise.
“Hopefully we can get a few more Indycar wins under our belt before I get down there in October.”
Castroneves is a 19-time IndyCar Series race winner and currently sitting ninth in the 2011 points standings.
