WTCC driver Tiago Monteiro is looking forward to his run at Surfers Paradise in October for the V8 Supercars Australia series, where he will share a 5.0 litre, V8 Holden Commodore with Tony D'Alberto.
Monteiro will compete at the Gold Coast 600 on 23rd-24th October, along with fellow WTCC competitors Andy Priaulx, Yvan Muller & Alain Menu.
Speaking to TouringCarTimes, Tiago Monteiro described the difference of the Australian car to his usual ride, the 2.0 litre diesel powered SEAT León after he had the opportunity to try out the Holden at the end of May.
"Yeah, it's a completely different thing, lots of horse-power, a heavy car - it's a lot of fun to drive actually, it's quite efficient at high speed. It's a bit heavy on the slower corners, also as it has a solid axle at the rear it's very different to drive."
"You need to get used to it. The power is one thing, but you get used that pretty quickly. It's just a different machine, it's not a touring car, it's not a GT - it's between one of those I guess."
"It's a lot of fun, I really liked it, I like the atmosphere of the championship. I'm really looking forward to that race."
Tiago took his first win of the year at his home race at Portimao in Portugal at the beginning of the month, and is currently in fifth place in the World Touring Car Championship standings.
Monteiro has never raced in the V8 Supercars Australia championship before, whereas Priaulx, Muller & Menu all have, having raced at the Bathurst 1000km event in previous years.