Briscoe Rates V8 Supercars Soft Tyres

Surfers Paradise Indycar race winner Ryan Briscoe says his chances with Supercheap Auto Racing at this weekend’s ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 will be boosted by the event’s use of soft tyres.

“The soft tyres suit my driving style and they make the V8 Supercar more similar to what I’m used to in America,” Briscoe said. 

“The cars have more grip but you also have to think about conservation, which is something I’ve had to deal with in both Indycars and the American Le Mans Series.”

Briscoe won the final Gold Coast Indycar race in 2008 and has raced in all three V8 Supercars events at the circuit since the twin-driver format was introduced in 2010; this year, he will join Russell Ingall aboard the SCAR VF Commodore for the final round of the PIRTEK Enduro Cup.

“I always love the event and I’m looking forward to going back there; I have more experience at that track than either Sandown or Bathurst,” Briscoe said. 

Ingall is a four-time race winner at the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit and finished both last year’s races in the top 10, driving with Scot Peter Dumbreck. 

“We’ve always been strong here, I can’t remember the last time we didn’t finish in the top 10,” Ingall said. 

“I’ve had some good wins and picked up a couple of surfboard trophies, and we very nearly got a couple more recently.” 

Ingall says the event is important for publicising the Gold Coast as a tourist destination. 

“This is one event that has world-wide coverage, and shows the positive sides of the Gold Coast,” Ingall said. “This event highlights Queensland the best.”

Ingall and Briscoe are 11th in the PIRTEK Enduro Cup standings after the Wilson Security Sandown 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000; Ingall sits 18th in the Championship points.  

The ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600 consists of two 300km races, and each car is required to use 185 litres of fuel in each race, necessitating a minimum of two pit stops. Tickets are still available for the event.