Nissan co-driver Dean Fiore happy to finally get elusive win with podium finish at Gold Coast 600

IT was 150 attempts and five years in the making but co-driver Dean Fiore finally has a podium finish.

A very happy Dean Fiore and Michael Caruso collect 3rd on the podium during Day 3, Sunday of the GC 600 through the streets of Surfers Paradise. Pics Adam Head

IT was 150 attempts and five years in the making but co-driver Dean Fiore finally has a podium finish.

Fiore and driver Michael Caruso battled to third place on the streets of Surfers Paradise yesterday behind winner Jamie Whincup and second-placed Scott McLaughlin.

The Western Australian, who debuted in 2008, is without a full-time drive in 2014 but was happy enough to have been invited by Norton to join Caruso for the Pirtek Enduro Cup series. And there was no mistaking the Nissan pair’s joy yesterday.

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“We’ve had some great pace this year,” Caruso said.

“To come here this weekend and to share a podium with Dean is a really great experience and it’s great to finish up with a trophy.”

Fiore gave credit to Caruso and the Norton team.

A very happy Dean Fiore and Michael Caruso collect third on the podium at the Gold Coast 600. Pics Adam Head

“I knew their form coming into the Enduros was pretty good,” the 30-year-old said.

“Working with Michael and his engineer I witnessed something pretty special, they work really well together and know exactly what they want.

“They have a great package there between the two of them.”

Fiore has had his share of hard luck over his V8 journey but has kept plugging away.

“At Bathurst, had we not had power steering failure — I think everyone has this story from Bathurst because it’s such a crazy race — but we had a really good car there,” he said yesterday.

Luck also deserted him on the Gold Coast on Saturday when the pair were among the quickest but they had to settle for fifth after a front puncture cost Fiore valuable time mid-race.

Fiore is now hoping to stay with Norton where he is enjoying his racing more than ever before.

“I’m keen to stay here in the same role. It works really well for me with my business-racing balance that I’ve got going on at the moment, living in Perth,” he said.

“These guys keep me pretty busy with the test days and the ride days and obviously the three biggest races of the year.

“It’s a really enjoyable environment and I’m really loving my motor racing at the moment.

“I’m pretty much (locked in). We’ve already had discussions about staying on next year and I’m definitely keen to and they want to retain me.”

Earlier, Fiore had spoken of his joy after watching fellow co-driver Tony D’Alberto break his podium “duck” after 189 race starts on Saturday.

“I was happy for Tony, and Tim (Slade), because I know how hard they work at it,” Fiore said.

“He’s probably similar to me in that he’s not that far off the (No. 1) driver (Slade). Michael is definitely quicker than me, there’s no two ways about that, he is really in tune with the car,” he said.

“I know that Tony’s trying to get back in full-time and there wouldn’t be much compromising their strategy in terms of Slade and D’Alberto so they’d be happy with their pairing. I’m happy for him.”