Gold Coast 600 marks 30 day countdown

Gold Coast-based Supercars star Will Davison and defending Commonwealth Games Gold Medallist Michael Shelley ran along Main Beach Parade today to mark 30 days until the start of the Vodafone Gold Coast 600.

The pair ran along a part of the track that will transform into both the Supercars street circuit and part of the marathon track for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games next April before speaking with assembled media.

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“Talking about a Supercar through here on two wheels, it’s an absolutely nuts part of the circuit,” said Davison ahead of the October 20-22 event.

“It was really cool to just have a quick run with Michael, knowing that the marathon is such a big event for him is coming up right here.”

Shelley says the Vodafone GC600 will be a great test ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of Gold Coasters come out and support the event like they will for the Commonwealth Games,” Shelley said.

The marathon gold medal hopeful said he has fond memories of the GC600 party atmosphere and watching from the grandstand as Supercars made their way through the famous street circuit’s chicanes.

“I’ve been coming with a couple of friends for a few years and I’ve always admired the chicane and how they take it so quickly,” Shelley said.

“I’ve seen a couple that haven’t come off so well … but yeah it’s a great event and I’m looking for it to being here again this year.”

Davison recently completed the gruelling Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast which encompassed a 1.9km swim, 90km ride and a 21.1km run.

For training, he uses several courses set up for next year’s Commonwealth Games including the mountain bike track at Nerang and the Gold Coast Aquatic Centre at Broadwater.

He said both Supercars drivers and Shelley have plenty in common in regards to their preparations, especially how to deal with heat.

“Physically it’s very very hot for us sitting in the car here for two and a half to three hours,” Davison said.

“It’s a similar thing running a marathon in the heat, the temperatures you try to deal with.

“His training regime at the moment it’s mind-blowing to be honest.

“From an athlete’s point of view, I try and get my head around the way he is trying to peak at that time for such a gruelling event.

“I’d imagine it’s a lot more complex and technical than what would meet the eye from the outside, trying to get that last minute or two seconds per kilometre so he said.

“It’s sort of the same for us in many ways, there’s a lot more to it than people would realise trying to get that last hundredth or last tenth.

Davison heads into the 5-8 October Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 as defending winner alongside co-driver and Tekno Autosports team owner Jonathon Webb.

The Tekno pair endured a rough Wilson Security Sandown 500 last weekend, with Webb fined $15,000 for reckless driving that caused Todd Hazelwood to crash heavily on Saturday.

Repairs saw the Commodore return to the track on Sunday where the duo fought through to finish 12th.