Indy winner sets sights on Gold Coast 600

Fresh from his dramatic victory in the 100th anniversary Indianapolis 500, Briton Dan Wheldon has set his sights on racing a V8 Supercar in October’s Armor All Gold Coast 600.

The event, which this year will require every entry to sign an ‘international’ co-driver, attracted six IndyCar stars last year, while 2011 Indianapolis 500 pole-sitter Alex Tagliani is the first to be confirmed for this season.

Wheldon, who also won the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series title in 2005, is currently without a full-time drive, having competed in the weekend’s 500 as part of a one-off deal with Bryan Herta Autosport.

The 32-year-old spoke to Speedcafe.com after his Indy 500 victory, and raised the topic of a Gold Coast drive.

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“I would love to come down and do the Gold Coast 600,” Wheldon told Speedcafe.com

“Maybe this win will spark some more interest.

“I have always enjoyed watching the V8 Supercars and would love the opportunity to driver one, especially on the Gold Coast which is such a fantastic event.

“All the guys I have spoken to who did the race last year spoke highly of the experience and I want to be a part of it.”

Although only Tagliani has been announced (at Kelly Racing), it is understood that most teams have already locked in their drivers ahead of the October 21-23 event.

Those expected to be seen on the Gold Coast grid in October include Ryan Briscoe, Patrick Long and Dario Franchitti (Walkinshaw Racing), Vitantonio Luizzi (Tony D’Alberto Racing), Will Power and Mika Salo (Ford Performance Racing), Ben Collins (Kelly Racing), Joey Hand (Dick Johnson Racing), Alex Wurz (Tekno Autosports), Jan Magnussen and Boris Said (Paul Morris Motorsport), Andy Priaulx and Sebastien Bourdais (Triple Eight) and Simon Pagenaud (Garry Rogers Motorsport).

See below for video of Wheldon after winning the 500