David Brabham celebrates 50 days till Gold Coast event

The countdown to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 continues this week with just 50 days remaining until the Gold Coast comes alive across October 22-24.

David Brabham – one of the 18 international co-drivers for the event – was on hand to celebrate Queensland’s premier motorsport event today along with his V8 Supercar team-mate Alex Davison and Stone Brothers Racing Team Principal Ross Stone at the team base at Yatala.

Brabham is on the Gold Coast preparing for his season of endurance with the SBR, and will take part in a driver evaluation day tomorrow at Queensland Raceway, ahead of his drives, at not only the Gold Coast, but also Phillip Island and Bathurst with Davison in the #4 IRWIN Ford.

Brabham currently leads the LMP class in the American Le Mans Series with his co-driver Simon Pagenaud for Patron Highcroft Racing and only needs to finish sixth or better in the final round at Petit Le Mans on October 2 to clinch back-to-back titles.

“It is great to be back on Australian soil and to be at the Stone Brothers Racing shop today to spend some time with Alex and the boys before tomorrow’s evaluation day,” said Brabham.

“I think the concept for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 is fantastic and I cannot tell you the interest it has generated in the US and Europe, not only within the driver ranks, but the general media.

“Obviously Alex and I have endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst where we can learn to work together, so the by the time we get to the Gold Coast in October we should have the Irwin Falcon in pretty good shape.

“Having the chance to race a V8 Supercar in Australia is always a special experience for me, but this will mean even a little more being a part of Ross and Jimmy Stone’s team and linking up with Alex in the IRWIN Ford.”

Davison could not be happier to have one of Australia’s most successful international drivers as his partner at his home track this October for what is shaping as one of the World’s greatest touring car events.

“I was pushing to have David as my co-driver for the endurance events for some time and when the concept came together for the Armor All Gold Coast 600 he was always going to be my first choice,” said Davison.

“I think having David on board for the endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst should provide a great foundation on which we can build on at the Gold Coast.

“It is hard to believe there is just 50 days to go to the event and we have a lot to get done before we actually turn a wheel on the streets of Surfers Paradise in the Irwin Ford.

“David has driven and been successful in so many categories, from Formula 1 down. He is quick, smart and one of the most professional drivers in the business. It will be a pleasure to have him as part of the team.”

Ross Stone is confident that his pairing will be one to watch over the next 50 days.

“David has been one of the great ambassadors for Australian motorsport for so many years and we were delighted when he accepted our invitation to join us in the Irwin Ford for the endurance events,” said Stone.

“The fact that David’s dad, Sir Jack, and brother, Geoff, live on the Gold Coast will make this year’s Surfers Paradise event even more special. It will be like a family reunion for them and it would be nice to think David and Alex could make their celebrations a little more special with a win in the Armor All Gold Coat 600.

“There is no doubt that having David as part of the Irwin team for Phillip Island and Bathurst will be a valuable bonus for us. He will get the job done.”