Scott Pruett says that the international driver format for this weekend’s Armor All Gold Coast 600 is a better concept than bringing an overseas open wheel class to Australia.
Pruett, the winner of the 1997 Gold Coast Indy event, is one of the 18 international drivers teaming up with regular V8 Supercars stars on the notorious street track. He will share the #30 Gulf Western Oils Commodore VE with Nathan Pretty.
Pruett, whose one and only V8 Supercars start was with Stone Brothers Racing at Bathurst in 1997, says that the mix of V8 Supercars, star steerers and a world-class track is the perfect mix.
“I think this concept is better than anything they’ve had before,” he said.
“The amount of buzz and the wildcard element of it all is what everyone is excited about. Nobody knows what to expect. Who is going to go good? What’s it going to be like? There’s lots of great questions.
“And the eyes of everybody is on it too. All of the great IndyCar drivers are here, the Europeans as well. Everyone overseas is watching and it brings the eyes of the world to the Gold Coast.”
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Pruett drove with Alan Jones and Jason Bright in the 1997 Bathurst 1000, with the trio finishing 11th.
He says his prior experience in V8s will be no benefit to his chances with Pretty this weekend.
“It has been a long time. I don’t even know if I even remember, or even have good memories of the last time,” he said.
“But we’re looking forward to it. For all the drivers coming in, it’s going to be exciting. We’re happy to be here and all of the Australians have been really good getting us up to speed.
“The Lucas Dumbrell team has been really good. They’ve got things worked out for me, and Nathan Pretty has been really good getting us up to speed as quickly as we can.”
Pruett, along with the other internationals, tested at Queensland Raceway yesterday in mainly wet conditions.
“In a perfect world, it would have been nice if we had a full dry day at Queensland Raceway, but as it turns out, we get some rain practice,” he said.
“It’s a challenge. It’s just a matter of getting time in the car. The exciting part is that there is just an incredible group of international drivers who have come down here to race and have fun.”
For more on the Armor All Gold Coast 600 CLICK HERE for Speedcafe.com.au’s exclusive V8 Race Guide, previewing the international-flavoured event.
