V8 Supercars The Drivers come out to Play

What do you know about V8 racing?

There are 28 cars on the tour, with 2 drivers per team. The teams are currently split into Ford and Holden manufacturers, but this will be the last year of the ongoing rivalry as Nissan joins the manufactures in 2013.

Some teams have as little as "15 million to fund their whole entire team" says Russell Ingall. "This includes 30 full time staff plus all the external contractors they employ for various local jobs like paint and marketing" Russell continues.

The V8 Supercars, which are mainly based in Melbourne and Queensland, boost local economy by outsourcing work to local businesses.

What a lot of people don't realise however is how V8 Supercars have changed over the years; with statistics showing a 50/50 split of males & females. Events have become more "family friendly" enlisting entertainment like the Disney "Mack the Transporter" trailer from hit movie 'Cars', that is fully decked out with a range of entertainment for all ages of children. There are dedicated family sections to ensure everyone has a great day.

But why are V8 Supercars so appealing? V8 drivers are more accessible than other motor sports, with "up to 1000 people on grid in the lead up to the race. When the bell goes with only 3 minutes until the start we have to pull it all together" says James Courtney. Russell Ingall chimes in "and we are joking right until the start of the race". They are also "always out there signing autographs and talking to the fans. It's not like other sports".says James Courtney.

Part of their daily routine includes a personal trainer at the gym for 1.5 hours, cycling for 2 hours, driver practice sessions. Drivers have the equivalent fitness level of a triathlon athlete. "There are also sponsorship appearances, such as at car dealerships & Toll depots" says James Courtney. Plus drivers also support various charities.

Asked what the process is to getting a seat in a V8 Supercars, James Courtney informed us that it progress is "Go Karts, Formula Ford Racing, V8. But it can be quite expensive so it helps to have sponsorship" or some money backing this expensive habit.

V8 is showing a huge increase in popularity in the USA, with US races forecasted in the foreseeable future. With Nissan joining the manufacturers, this is the great step into expanded the field for both manufacturers and sponsorship. International races such as Bahrain and Singapore currently pay for the V8 Supercars to come race, in an effort to promote tourism. Which is a welcome change to the ongoing overheads associated with races like accommodation and transportation.

With only 5 races left in the season it's time to gear up and head on out to what is the most exciting part of the season including, the Armor All Gold Coast 600 & Sydney Telstra 500. The Armor All Gold Coast 600, is considered the "most prestigious event on the calendar" liked to Formula 1's Monaco event.

As a special treat, Femail.com.au plus some other media guests (including Charli Robinson ex Hi-5 pictured) were asked to attend the Holden Driving Centre in Queensland for some one on one experiences. Starting the day out with some cone dodging, 360 to a straight line stop, I'm afraid I faired poorly on the times by collecting many too many penalty cones. However the following driving test through a wet track of cones I faired a lot better. Finally bringing us to the main event, a V8 experience.

With a guided tour of the track including the correct gearshifts and braking points in the Berrocca car of James Courtney, it was time to try it out with guided assistance. What a buzz! Unlike road cars, braking was hard and fast and full throttle the only way to go. If that wasn't enough, James Courtney took me on a hot lap, gliding through the paces, with a few skids to see if I was still with him. I think I'll be smiling about my V8 experience for a long time.

I have a new appreciation for V8 Supercars and urge you to join me & the adrenalin filled excitement at the following races.

Event 10: Dick Smith Sandown 500 (14-16 September)
Event 11: Supercheap Auto Bathhurst 1000 (4-7 October)
Event 12: Armor All Gold Coast 600 (19-21 October)
Event 13: Yas Va 400 (2-4 Nov)
Event 14: Winton Motor Raceway (16-18 Nov)
Event 15: Sydney Telstra 500 (30 Nov - 2 December)

www.v8supercars.com.au

V8 Supercars Armor All Gold Coast 600

Good Charlotte back from hiatus to rock the Gold Coast's V8 Supercars ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600; Queensland's premier yearly event and the Gold Coast's biggest party!

Want to win Tickets to the Armor All Gold Coast 600 enter now

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Jann Stuckey said: "The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will once again provide a world-class line-up of entertainment, creating an enticing mix of motorsport and entertainment," said Ms Stuckey. "In 2011, this event attracted more than 181,000 attendees - providing support for the Queensland tourism industry, local business and jobs. "This year, the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will again be broadcast to more than 130 countries, promoting the Gold Coast region to a global audience; playing a vital role in our goal to establish Queensland as Australia's number one tourist destination."

Good Charlotte is one of Australia's most loved acts. Joel and Benji Madden are enormously popular, even more so since Joel's incredibly successful stint on The Voice. "We love the V8s and can't wait to get down to Queensland for the race and party," Good Charlottes' Benji Madden said."The Gold Coast is one of our favourite places to hang. The weather's great, there is always a good vibe and we always have a great time. The V8 Supercar team definitely know how to put on a world class concert and we're looking forward to putting on a good rock show." There are concerts on Friday and Saturday nights at the Broadwater Parklands.

On Friday night after a killer six months that has seen him notch up a Top five ARIA single and album, a three-time platinum single for Boys Like You (platinum status for the Falling & Flying album), a Most Hunted Award at the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards, three sell-out national tours and the Channel [V] Oz Artist 2011 award, 360, takes to the stage with Horrorshow, Urthboy, Sietta, Purple Sneakers DJs and The Faders with Good Charlotte and The Living End on Saturday evening.

V8 Supercars Chairman Tony Cochrane supported the announcement by unveiling the first international drivers to compete at this year's race. They include:
- Nick Heidfeld, high profile Formula 1™ driver who's set to race with David Reynolds and The Bottle-O FPR Ford team
- Marco Andretti, third generation driver from racing's most legendary family and one of the youngest stars in motorsport. Andretti will join the Jack Daniel's racing team
- Darren Turner, one of the UK's most successful and experienced racing drivers who'll return to Walkinshaw Racing.

Tony Cochrane comments: "The international co-driver element is what makes the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 so unique, helping to cement the sport on the international stage and offering leading international motorsport talent a taste of what V8 Supercars has to offer. "The quality of this year's international racing talent is second to none which I'm confident will make for a thrilling and action packed race," he adds. "We are starting to see this event return to its halcyon days with more than 80 per cent of all corporate and sponsorship nearly sold."

Nick Heidfeld has been highly successful in Formula One for more than a decade, with this his first time in a V8 Supercar."I am very excited to be racing at the Gold Coast 600 this year," Heidfeld said."V8 Supercars is a category I am hearing a lot about from friends in Europe who have driven on the Gold Coast and they all say very positive things. The cars are very unique and look like a lot of fun to drive. They are very different to what I have driven for most of my career but I am looking forward to the challenge". continues Nick Heidfeld. "To be part of Ford Performance Racing is a privilege especially given the season they are having. I know Prodrive well from my racing in Europe and I know they are very professional and well run. My team-mate in The Bottle-O car David Reynolds is a rising star and I look forward to learning a lot from him when I test for the first time in October. "The Gold Coast 600 looks like a fun event and one that now attracts a lot of attention from drivers all around the world. I can't wait to race there in October." concludes Nick Heidfeld.

Marco Andretti, grandson of the legendary Mario Andretti and son of champion driver and team owner Michael Andretti, comments: "I'm really looking forward to the Gold Coast V8 Supercars event. The sport is growing in popularity in the US and the event has become very popular among the IndyCar drivers, so I'm pumped about the chance to compete."In terms of results, I definitely want to be competitive. I expect to run in the top 10 and hopefully Todd (Kelly) and the Jack Daniel's Racing boys can help me get straight up to speed," he adds.

Darren Turner, who returns to the race for the second consecutive year comments:"I'm excited about returning to Australia for the ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600. V8 Supercars is a highly-rated international and is on every driver's radar - having already had a taste of the event, I can't wait to come back for more. "It's an honour to be invited back on to the Walkinshaw Racing team and to race in such a beautiful and spectacular location like the Gold Coast is just incredible. It's a world class event," he says.

The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 is the third and final endurance race on this year's V8 Supercars Championship calendar and will run from 19-21 October.

Tickets are on sale from today via www.ticketek.com.au or by calling 132 849.

V8 Supercars Sydney Telstra 500

Witness the end of an era at Sydney Olympic Park this year as the V8 Supercar 2012 Championship Grand Final sees the last ever Holden-versus-Ford street battle.

Over three explosive days of street racing, Friday 30 November to Sunday 2 December, V8 Supercar drivers will battle it out to decide which iconic name lays claims to the ultimate title prior to Nissan joining the line-up in 2013.

The Sydney Telstra 500 is Sydneys largest motorsport and entertainment festival and the only street race that offers fun for the whole family. Kids 12 and under receive free entry with a paying adult.

This year the Disney-Pixar CARS Truck Tour will also be returning CARS fans of all ages are in for an awesome experience as Mack the Transporter and Lightning McQueen make their final V8 Supercar stop at the Sydney Telstra 500.

When Mack rolls into position, family and fans are give the opportunity to ride, race and play their way through a whole new work of Cars themed entertainment, inspired by Disney-Pixars CARS 2.

CARS fans of all ages will be able to put themselves into a scene from the movie in the green screen photography zone. They'll learn the rules of the road using pedal power on the Junior Drivers Training Track, complete with its very own road, signs, round a bout and traffic light! Parked up alongside Mack The Transporter will be the major attraction, a life-sized model of Lightning McQueen, polished to perfection and sporting his famous grin. Plus, there is colour-in fun, games and activities in Mater's Workshop, a jumping castle, wheel change station, plenty of toys, souvenirs and the ultimate Race-O-Rama PS3 play-offs going round the clock!

As part of the action packed festival, the Armor All Auto Show, Australias largest private car show, will give race goers the opportunity to meet past drivers and see historic cars.

With free public transport available on certain services to and from the event with a pre-purchased ticket, theres no excuse to miss out on the greatest entertainment and motorsport festival of the year.

WHAT: The Grand Final of V8 Supercars 2012 Season where V8 Supercar drivers will battle it our to decide which iconic name lays claim to the ultimate title of champion.

WHERE: Sydney Olympic Park Precinct, NSW

WHEN: 30 November - 2 December 2012

Visit www.ticketek.com.au to get your tickets today.