Heidfeld, Andretti and Turner sign on for Gold Coast 600 V8 race

The annual Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercar race which mixes the best in the Aussie series with a range of international drivers has revealed the first international signings. An ex-F1 driver, a current IndyCar star and a Le Mans specialist will join the field.

Germany’s Nick Heidfeld is currently the biggest international draw card for the Gold Coast 600. The former-F1 star who scored 13 F1 podiums (including eight second places) for the likes of BMW-Sauber, BMW.Williams F1 Team and Lotus Renault will join David Reynolds in the Ford Performance Racing Bottle-O 55 car. Heidfeld recently left F1 to race for Lotus Rebellion Racing in the World Endurance Car series and finished fourth overall in the Le Mans 24 Hour race.

Joining Heidfeld will be American IndyCar star and son of F1 World Champion Mario Andretti, Marco Andretti. While the young pilot has had a tough time lately in the series, he’s won races and continues to put in occasional solid performances. He’s also nearly pulled off an Indy 500 win. The 25-year-old will drive for Jack Daniels Racing in the 7 car alongside Todd Kelly.

Finally, Brit Darren Turner will return for the Gold Coast 600 and again drive for the Holden Racing Team. The 38-year-old who finished 3rd in the GTE Pro Class in the Le Mans 24 Hour will drive either one of the HRT cars with the partnering yet to be announced.

The news of the three signings comes just a few days after it was revealed ex-F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve would be filling in for Greg Murphy in the Townsville race of the championship.

Web: V8 Supercars

Damian Francis

Damian Francis has previously edited Australian T3 and F1 Racing magazine and wrote for GQ Australia and Men’s Health. Unlike Nick and Trev, he has no kids, no mortgage and no wife, but lives happily on Sydney’s North Shore with his girlfriend.