Surfers Paradise: WPS/WOW Racing preview

CONCENTRATION IS EVERYTHING ON THE GOLD COAST

WPS/WOW Racing V8 Supercar drivers Max Wilson and Jason Bargwanna are aware that the brutal Surfers Paradise street circuit is going to require their full attention in Round 11 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series this weekend.

The Lexmark Indy 300 will feature a championship round of the V8 Supercars for the sixth time and both drivers from the Gold Coast-based team have sighted the unforgiving, concrete-lined circuit as a test of driver concentration.

A simple mistake that at other circuits would merely result in a trip across an expanse of grass or a gravel-filled run-off area often means contact with a concrete wall on the Gold Coast.

Wilson has a wealth of driving experience and has raced in major motorsport categories around the world. The Brazilian ace puts the beachside layout right up there with the toughest circuits he has driven, but thrives on the challenge of racing the #8 WOW Racing Falcon within a few kilometres of his Gold Coast apartment.

Bargwanna is a former winner of the Gold Coast V8 round and it's famous surfboard trophy, claiming the first round held for championship points at the venue in 2002.

Bargwanna also scored a podium at this round in 2004 and was in the top 10 overall last season, making this one of his favourite events for the season.

The Gold Coast round also represents the home event for the WPS/WOW Racing team, which is based only 30 minutes from the street circuit and allows the V8 Supercar squad to catch up with its 'sister' team, Team Australia in the Champ Car World Series.

Team Owner Craig Gore takes enormous pride in seeing both his racing operations racing side-by-side at the spectacular Gold Coast event and both operations will be giving their all it make it a great weekend of results for the successful Queensland businessman.

WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY

Max Wilson -- #8 WOW Racing Falcon

"I always look forward to the Gold Coast event, but certainly not because it is easy," said Wilson.

"It's a tough event for many reasons. The track has no run-off area and in places is still quite fast, so you have to give it respect and have 100 percent concentration from the first lap to the last.

"Also the heat and humidity can make this race quite tough even though we are in a sprint race format.

"But you have to forget about how hot you feel or how good or bad the car is working because one slip and you are in the wall. That's all it takes.

"When you put it all together it's one of the toughest events around.

"We have shown a jump in car speed with our new WOW Falcon over the last two races so it will be interesting to see how we go in our first sprint round with the new car.

"The team is certainly heading in the right direction and I hope we can continue to make strides towards the front in our home event.

"It's certainly nice to go to a race and stay in your own bed and wake up in the morning knowing that I only have a few blocks to travel to the circuit."

Jason Bargwanna -- #10 WPS Racing Falcon

"Indy is a tough event for the drivers and team but it's also one that everyone looks forward to," said Bargwanna.

"The teams do a great job to turn the cars around in time for the Gold Coast only two weeks after Bathurst. Our guys continue to put in the hard yards and do a tremendous job, so Max and I will be doing our best to reward their efforts.

"I've got great memories of the place. It was my last round win in 2002 and my last round podium in 2004 and it's always been an event I enjoy.

"We scored a top 10 at our home round last season and we've made progress over the course of this year, so I think we can get the job done this weekend and help fly the Team Australia flag."

Craig Gore -- WPS/WOW Racing Team Owner

"Indy is one of the highlights of the V8 calendar and, of course, an enormous event for our Team Australia program," said Gore.

"It's our home event and the one chance all year we get to see WPS/WOW Racing in the V8 Supercar Championship Series and Team Australia in the Champ Car World Series all in the one place.

"We have been making steady progress and we scored a top 10 at this round last season. We did a solid job at Bathurst and I'd like to think that we can continue that form right through to the end of the season."

-credit: wpsracing.net.au