Photo: WTCC Media

Farfus & Pagenaud confirmed at GRM for Surfers

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BMW Motorsport driver Augusto Farfus and sportscar driver Simon Pagenaud have been confirmed at the Gold Coast 600 this October, where they’ll pair up with Lee Holdsworth and Michael Caruso at Garry Rogers Motorsport.

“It is funny how things work out,” said team owner Garry Rogers.

“I first had a relationship with Schnitzer BMW around 30 years ago and here we are using one of Charlie Lamm’s drivers on the Gold Coast,” said Rogers, referring to Farfus.

“I think we have two talented young blokes who can do the job, whether they are crash proof is something we will not find out until race weekend.”

Last year, American driver Patrick Long drove for the team sharing with Caruso, and was among the top performing ‘international drivers’ in the event, finishing fourth in the first race and 11th in race two, and is rumoured to have been snapped up by a rival team for this year’s event.

“A few people questioned our selection of Patrick Long last year and we certainly proved them wrong, I am sure these two guys will also get the job done,” said Rogers.

Simon Pagenaud has been racing until this year in the American Le Mans Series for Highcroft Racing. This year the French driver filled in for Ana Beatriz at Dreyer & Reinbold in the IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park in April, and just last weekend competed for Compass360 Racing in the Contintental Tire Sports Car Challenge at Laguna Seca.

Brazilian BMW-driver Augusto Farfus raced in the World Touring Car Championship between 2005 and 2010 at Alfa Romeo then BMW as a works driver, twice finishing third in the Championship. This season he competes with Schnitzer Motorsport in their GT programme and is expected to form part of BMW’s new DTM programme in 2012.

“For me, the chance to compete at the Gold Coast Event is something I am really looking forward to,” said Farfus.

“The vision that I have seen of the circuit shows it to be very fast and flowing which is the type of racing that I am familiar with. I believe that I will adapt well to the V8 Supercar technology. Whilst engine sizes vary, the principle of front engine rear wheel drive is something that I am familiar with.”

The Gold Coast 600 takes place on October 21st-23rd.