De Pasquale rekindles Aussie Rules roots

Anton De Pasquale has kicked off his Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 build-up - literally - with a blast from the past.

Noted Aussie Rules fan De Pasquale and Andre Heimgartner took to Metricon Stadium on Thursday.

There, the two drivers kicked around with Gold Coast Suns AFL players Nick Holman and Wil Powell.

While it was foreign for New Zealander Heimgartner, De Pasquale felt at home.

The Shell V-Power Racing driver hails from Werribee South in Melbourne, and played junior footy.

Racing took pole position for De Pasquale, who moved to Europe as a teenager before returning to Australia.

De Pasquale is an avid fan of Collingwood, which was one win away from this year’s AFL Grand Final.

The 27-year-old managed to get to a number of games in 2022.

“It’s been years since I’ve kicked a footy properly,” De Pasquale said.

“It’s to hang out with the boys and have a kick, and have a few shots at goal.

“I live on the Gold Coast but I’m from Melbourne.

"I’m a Collingwood supporter, which most people yell at me for!

“We had a good season this year, it was good to get here and watch the boys play.”

De Pasquale moved into third in the points at the expense of teammate Will Davison, who crashed out in Bathurst.

Heimgartner also failed to reach the chequered flag in Bathurst; in fact, he didn’t event get to race.

The Kiwi’s co-driver Dale Wood was wiped out on lap 5.

Handling a Sherrin was far from Heimgartner’s fortè, however.

“It was pretty difficult,” Heimgartner joked.

“There was a bit of wind too which affects it. It was good fun.

“I’ll definitely stick to racing.”

Speaking post-Bathurst, Heimgartner added: “We’ve rebuilt the car after the Bathurst crash.

“I didn’t even get to drive, I was pretty annoyed by that.

“We’ve rebuilt the car, it’s going to be as good as new."