IndyCar racer Simon Pagenaud has joined V8 Supercar squad Stone Brothers Racing for October's Gold Coast 600 in Surfers Paradise. The Frenchman made his series debut at the same event last year in a Garry Rogers Holden, but will this time share one of SBR's trio of Ford Falcons with regular driver Lee Holdsworth.
"I'm ecstatic to compete again in such a great event at the Gold Coast," said Pagenaud. "I had a great time and a fantastic experience last year. This team has had such great accomplishments and I felt very blessed when I got a call from Ross [Stone]! Reuniting with Lee [his GRM co-driver last year] is a tremendous opportunity.
"Lee and I really went along well last year and I managed to bring a surfboard home. I will plan on bringing my A-game to the table and hopefully aim for two surfboards this year."
SBR has also confirmed the international drivers that will fill its other two seats. Sports car racer David Brabham, who drove for the team at last year's Bathurst 1000, will partner Tim Slade while Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen will make his V8 debut alongside Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen.
The trio joins a list of star international drivers that already includes Sebastien Bourdais, Marco Andretti and Nick Heidfeld.