MATT BRABHAM EXCITED TO ROCK SST ON THE GOLD COAST
If Matt Brabham needed any more noise than a home crowd behind his Stadium Super Trucks effort this weekend, he has it in the way of hard rock legends, Def Leppard and Live who will adorn the #83 at the Castrol Gold Coast 600.
In a deal put together by fellow SST racer and former US Army serviceman, Bill ‘The Thrill’ Hynes from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the bands will be promoting their upcoming Australian tour next month in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.
“Having Def Leppard and Live on your truck is something that is pretty wild,” said Brabham. “They are hardcore rockers and these Traxxas Stadium Super Trucks is a pretty hardcore way of going racing - plus we’re on the GC, so it’s going to be mental!
“I can’t thank Bill enough for stitching the deal together - he’s been on board our program throughout last year with UFD in Indy Lights and keeps a close eye on what we’re doing - I’ve got to be careful on track though - as it wouldn’t be good to have a clash with the boss!”
21-year-old Matt - who attended The Southport School on the Gold Coast - is the fourth Brabham to have competed on the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit, along with father Geoff and Uncles David and Gary.
He last competed in Formula Ford on the track in 2010.
“I’m so excited to be making my second Stadium Super Trucks start here at home,” he said. “Since I landed this morning my phone and Facebook has been going crazy with friends wanting to catch up.
“It is going to be a busy weekend, but we’re here absolutely to be competitive. I finished fourth in Toronto in my first Stadium Super Trucks event and want to build on that before heading to Valvoline Raceway in Sydney next weekend.”
The jumps, which are placed strategically around the circuit, will see trucks fly up to three storeys high and 80 metres in length.
“It’s just going to be total madness, I think you just need to be anywhere near the track to take in the action, especially around those jumps.
“The Narrowneck section is so tight, throw the added degree of difficulty of flight in and it will be fun!
“My first race in Toronto, we had the drivers briefing - it was along the lines of - ‘The rules? There are none. Go out enjoy and put on a show.’”
Practice for the Stadium Super Trucks gets underway tomorrow (Friday) with four races and a Saturday practice all making up their big weekend.
A team of six Americans will take on five Australians in the SST field this weekend and also next weekend in Sydney at Valvoline Raceway. Matt will lineup alongside Bill ‘The Thrill’ Hynes and Scotty Steele in the three Traxxas Stadium Super Trucks supported by Def Leppard and Live.
Robby Gordon and his team have brought a container full of engines and spare parts to ensure all trucks look pristine when they take to the track.
All the action will be covered on Fox Sports and TEN throughout the weekend.
Tickets for the Castrol GC600 and also the Valvoline Raceway, Sydney event with the Ultimate Sprintcar Championship are available at Ticketek.com.au.
STADIUM SUPER TRUCKS SCHEDULE - CASTROL GOLD COAST 600 (all times local to Gold Coast - AEDT minus one hour):
Friday, October 2310:15am-10:35am - Practice5:45pm-6:05pm - Race 1 (10 laps)
Saturday, October 248:45am-9:05am - Practice12:40pm-1:00pm - Race 2 (10 laps)
Sunday, October 258:10am-8:30am - Race 3 (10 laps)1:00pm-1:20pm - Race 4 (10 laps)
DEF LEPPARD, SUPPORTED BY LIVE AUSTRALIAN TOUR:Tuesday, November 17 - QANTAS Credit Union Arena, SydneyWednesday, November 18 - Rod Laver Arena, MelbourneThursday, November 19 - The Forum, Melbourne - **NOTE: Live Only at this venueSaturday November 21 - Red Hill Auditorium, Red Hill (Perth)
