Leading motorsport website Speedcafe.com.au is chasing the services of World Cup octopus Paul to help sort the odds for this year’s brand new Armor Gold Coast 600 at Surfers Paradise in October.
The event has already attracted some of the world’s greatest motorsport names including former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, fellow Indy 500 winners Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon and Le Mans 24-hour winner David Brabham.
These drivers will join 14 other international stars for two 300km endurance races in partnership with the stars of the V8 Supercar Series.
In just eight months Speedcafe.com.au has become the leading daily news site for Australian motorsport fans.
Speedcafe intends to launch a full-service motorsport form guide and late mail service in time for the Gold Coast race and with the help of the world’s most famous eight-legged creature.
Speedcafe has presented a request to the Sea Life aquarium in Oberhausen, Germany, where soothsaying World Cup Octopus Paul is currently housed and is sourcing a fee structure and transport costs in an effort to have the famous invertebrate on the grid in Surfers Paradise.
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If Paul the Octopus is not available, Speedcafe will be searching high and low for an Australian equivalent in an effort to give local punters an edge when it comes to V8 Supercars.
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 on the streets of the Gold Coast from October 22-24, is shaping as one of the world’s greatest touring car events and social events and the attendance of Paul will provide even more international exposure.
Speedcafe creator and well-known PR man, Brett “Crusher” Murray, said that the appearance of Paul the Octopus would add a unique twist to what is shaping as one of the world’s greatest touring car events.
“There is no doubt that Paul the octopus is a remarkable creature which almost stole the limelight from the Spanish team which actually won the World Cup,” said Murray.
“Australians love their motor racing and they love to have a bet and we intend to provide a motorsport punting service which is equal to any horseracing form guide available. We are hoping Paul the Octopus can help us launch that service on the streets of the fabulous Gold Coast.
“Are we jumping on the Paul bandwagon, sure, but we will be paying plenty for the privilege if we can pull this off. If he can give us a winner as a result, then maybe we can get our money back!”
The involvement of Paul would include the construction of a portable fish tank, which would house Paul from Germany to Brisbane by plane and then to the Gold coast by road.
If permission was given for the trip then the services of the world-renowned Gold Coast Sea World – located just two kilometres from the race track – would also be called in to to help with logistics.
V8 Supercars CEO Martin Whitaker said that room would be made on the grid for Paul on the Gold Coast if transportation could be arranged.
“To have something like Paul the octopus on the grid for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 would certainly create some interest,” said Whitaker.
“A unique Australian version might be even more appropriate if the logistics of Paul’s moves are too great.”
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 will take place across Friday October 22 to Sunday October 24 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
