Surfers Paradise: Event preview

INGALL OUT TO CHASE ANOTHER NIKON INDY 300 SURFBOARD

The traditional surfboard trophies that are presented to the top three finishers in the V8 Supercar Event at the Nikon Indy 300 have become one of the most sought after trophies in the V8 Supercar Championship.

Supercheap Auto Racing's Russell Ingall, who was the winner on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit in 2002, has got his sights on become the first dual winner of a V8 Championship round on the Gold Coast in this weekend's Coffee Club V8 Supercar Challenge.

The V8 Supercars made their debut at the Nikon Indy 300 in 1994, but up until the 2002 Event it was run as an exhibition round for the Series, with Jason Bargwanna winning the first points-paying race in 2002.

After finishing second in the corresponding round last year Ingall believes he can go one better in 2008 and add another highly sought after surfboard to his trophy collection in the process.

"When I won the championship in 2005 I got a trophy that was about twenty centimetres high and sits in the cabinet whereas my surfboard from 2002 takes pride of place in my pool room," said Ingall.

"If there is one trophy that all the drivers in the V8 championship talk about then it is the surfboards at Indy, everyone who has won one in the past want another one and those who haven't got one say that they would love to have one."

Ingall is under no illusions that whoever stands on top of the podium at this week's Coffee Club V8 Supercar Challenge will have earned their place in the record books.

"Let me assure everyone that winning a round in the modern era of V8 Supercars isn't getting any easier, there are a lot of guys out there capable of winning. Whoever gets a round victory has certainly earned it -- especially around the tight confines of the Indy track," said Ingall.

"All year the Supercheap Auto Racing team has been working hard and getting closer to the front of the pack. We had a minor mechanical issue put us out of contention for a podium at Bathurst two weeks ago so I'm very keen to make up for it at Indy this weekend.

"Throughout the season so far we've continually improved and are now consistently running inside the top five. I'm chasing a win before the end of the year prior to setting my sights on being a serious contender for the championship in 2009."

Ingall will be joined by several of his Queensland-based V8 Supercar counterparts for an autograph session in the Brisbane Square between 12:15pm and 1:15pm when the Nikon Indy 300 goes to Brisbane.

With 96 hours of non-stop excitement over October 23-26 as the Gold Coast comes alive to the sound of the IndyCar Series burning up the track and Australia's own V8 Supercars scorching around one of the most famous beach-side cities in the world, the event is the hottest ticket in town.

-credit: indy.com.au