Canadian race car driver Alexandre Tagliani, married to Aussie model Bronté, is delighted to have been invited to race in the Armor All Gold Coast 600 in Australia next October.
Tagliani told Auto123.com that he is looking forward to that race made of two endurance heats of 300-km. Eighteen international drivers have been invited to compete in the race as the teammates of the cars’ regular drivers.
“The organizers of the Surfers Paradise event always wanted to give their race some international flavour,” said Tagliani.
“It was an international race when they ran the CART, ChampCar and IndyCar series. This year, the race will be more local with the Supercar V8s. By inviting international drivers to compete, they’re back on the international motorsport arena.”
Unlike several of his peers, Tagliani has some experience of the Australian V8 cars. “Yes, I drove one back in the day I was with Team Australia in the ChampCar series,” Tagliani told Auto123.com.
“I did two races. It was with a good car, but not one of the best. I did okay, finishing in the middle of the pack. But these cars were hard to drive because they were fitted with an H-pattern gearbox. Sitting on the right-hand side of the car was okay. But shifting with my left hand was problematic, especially with the G forces under braking! Going down the gears with my left hand was quite a concern. I think I was watching more the shifter than I looking at the road ahead! Every time I had to downshift, I had to think for a second at the maneuver! Now with the push-pull sequential gearboxes, it will be a lot easier.”
Tagliani will be behind the wheel of a Holden Commodore for the Kelly Racing team in October. “It will be a pretty big event with lots of very good drivers. I look forward to a fantastic event!’. Tagliani concluded.
Tagliani told Auto123.com that he is looking forward to that race made of two endurance heats of 300-km. Eighteen international drivers have been invited to compete in the race as the teammates of the cars’ regular drivers.
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| Photo: IndyCar |
“The organizers of the Surfers Paradise event always wanted to give their race some international flavour,” said Tagliani.
“It was an international race when they ran the CART, ChampCar and IndyCar series. This year, the race will be more local with the Supercar V8s. By inviting international drivers to compete, they’re back on the international motorsport arena.”
Unlike several of his peers, Tagliani has some experience of the Australian V8 cars. “Yes, I drove one back in the day I was with Team Australia in the ChampCar series,” Tagliani told Auto123.com.
“I did two races. It was with a good car, but not one of the best. I did okay, finishing in the middle of the pack. But these cars were hard to drive because they were fitted with an H-pattern gearbox. Sitting on the right-hand side of the car was okay. But shifting with my left hand was problematic, especially with the G forces under braking! Going down the gears with my left hand was quite a concern. I think I was watching more the shifter than I looking at the road ahead! Every time I had to downshift, I had to think for a second at the maneuver! Now with the push-pull sequential gearboxes, it will be a lot easier.”
Tagliani will be behind the wheel of a Holden Commodore for the Kelly Racing team in October. “It will be a pretty big event with lots of very good drivers. I look forward to a fantastic event!’. Tagliani concluded.