V8 Supercars go blue for Blue September

Stars of AFL and V8 Supercars partnered today to unveil a blue grid for this weekend's Wilson Security Sandown 500, in a bid to bring awareness to men's cancer.

V8 Supercar drivers Garth Tander and David Reynolds were joined on their turf by AFL stars Michael Gale and Tom Curren to showcase the unusual shade the grid has taken in support of the event's official charitable partner, Blue September.

With one in two men diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85, Holden Racing Team driver Tander said he was happy to swap his preferred red hue for the rival blue, and join the countless other sportspeople in painting his face blue to bring awareness to the cause.

"It's a scary statistic that Australia has the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world," he said.

"And what's even more frightening is that some of them are preventable.

"It's an issue close to home for all drivers on the grid this weekend - we unfortunately all know someone who has been affected by cancer in some way. So, if it means painting my face blue and lining up my Commodore on our not-so-favourite colour grid on Sunday to try and turn this statistic around, then I'm more than happy to."

While raising funds for Australian Prostate Cancer Research and Australian Cancer Research Foundation charities, Blue September aims to raise awareness of cancer in men, as well as promoting healthy lifestyle choices.

Retired Richmond AFL player Michael Gale said it was important to encourage men to visit their GP.

"My father passed away from prostate cancer, and I've had a brush with a similar thing," he said. "Always raise awareness to men's health issues, try and promote and get blokes to be proactive and get to see their GP."

St Kilda midfielder Tom Curren said so many were touched by cancer, whether someone close to them had been diagnosed, or they suffered themselves.

Cancer's a big thing in a lot of people's lives and affects so many people - not only directly but often people have different connections to it, so it's good to spread some awareness and hopefully raise some funds towards a great campaign."

Watch the V8 Supercars line up on a blue grid this weekend at the Wilson Security 500.

Kids 14 and under receive free trackside admission with a paying adult, with tickets beginning from $28.

Secure your Platinum Grandstand ticket to ensure yourself a reserved grandstand seat over the entire weekend and free V8 Supercar paddock access. Click here for more information.