V8 Supercars announces replacement drivers for the Gold Coast 600

Following the tragic death of Dan Wheldon at the Las Vegas 300 IndyCar Series race, the V8 Supercar championship has announced former McLaren F1 test driver Darren Turner will take his place in the #1 HRT.

Turner (pictured above driving the a McLaren F1 car)  will partner defending series champion and good friend of Wheldon, James Courtney. Of the move, Turner said on Twitter, “Will be trying to do the very best I can this weekend in memory of Dan. There is a lot of love for the man down here in OZ.” Courtney also took to Twitter to praise the efforts of Turner in his test for the team at Queensland Raceway in the build up to the Gold Coast 600.

Two other drivers have also pulled out of the Gold Coast 600 following the events of the Las Vegas 300. Veteran racer Tony Kanaan will be replaced by Alan Simonsen from Denmark, while Aussie star Will Power who is still recovering from injuries sustained in Las Vegas will have his seat filled by Irishman Richard Lyons. Three other IndyCar Series stars will still participate in the event – Aussie Ryan Briscoe, Brazilian Helio Castro-Neves and Canadian Alex Tagliani.

Shane Howard, CEO of the V8 Supercars said, “”We are grateful that Richard (Lyons), Allan (Simonsen) and Darren (Turner) could make themselves available at such short notice and we look forward to having them here. We also appreciate what Ryan (Briscoe), Alex (Tagliani) and Helio (Castroneves) have been through in the last couple of days and will ensure they are accommodated with what they need over the next week.”

The Gold Coast 600 will take place this weekend. For more information visit the V8 Supercar Series.

Image: Motorsport.com