Dixon drops out of Gold Coast, Pirro replaces him
Sportscar racing legend Emanuele Pirro will take over from Scott Dixon at the Gold Coast 600, after the former IndyCar champion steps down after the recent birth of his second daughter.
Dixon was scheduled to create an all New Zealand line-up in the No.9 Stone Brothers Racing Ford Falcon, sharing the driving duties with Shane van Gisbergen, but now the line-up will be one of speed and experience, with the 22-year-old van Gisbergen pairing up with the 49-year-old Italian driver Pirro.
“The chance to race on the Gold Coast is just fantastic,” said Pirro.
“I would like to thank Audi, being their brand ambassador, for having given me the permission to drive. I love street circuits and have lots of great memories from Down Under, I can’t wait to arrive. To join a young driver like Shane will be cool and I look forward to meeting him and sharing stories with each other and learning all the secrets of the V8 Supercars.”
“He has had a lot of success this year already and watching last year’s race – he is clearly very good around the Gold Coast circuit. I’ve seen it on television over the years and its very unique – being right next to the beach.
“To come to Australia and race an endurance race on one of the world’s best known and most challenging street circuits will be great fun.”
Pirro is a five-times winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, as well as a former Formula 1 driver, racing for Benetton and BMS Scuderia Italia from 1989-1991. Pirro has this year been the represented driver steward for three rounds of the Formula 1 Championship as well.
