WAGS set bar high as V8 racing partners prepare for Gold Coast 600

V8 SUPERCAR driver Tim Slade has a lot to prove this weekend, at least as far as his girlfriend Danni Byrnes is concerned.

V8 SUPERCAR driver Tim Slade has a lot to prove this weekend, at least as far as his girlfriend Danni Byrnes is concerned.

Ms Byrnes got a taste of race success when she recorded the fastest lap among the V8 wives and girlfriends at the Performance Driving Centre yesterday and she will be looking for the same winning effort from Slade when he heads out on the weekend.

“I think he was quite impressed,” Ms Byrnes said.

“I borrowed his race suit and he said that must have been the reason I won.

“But I told him it was my skills that were responsible.”

V8 Supercars spokesman Cole Hitchcock said there was only about a second between the WAGS, but Ms Byrnes was the best of the pack.

Racing WAGS Danielle Byrnes, partner of Supercheap Auto driver Tim Slade, pictured with Tahan Lewfatt (David Reynolds), Liza Nash (team owner with husband Rod Nash) and April Vaughen (Shane Van Gisbergen) show their style. Picture: David Clark

“By and large, everyone was on the pace,” he said.

“There was not much separating them.”

The winning racing team was Liza Nash, Rod Nash’s wife, April Vaughen, Shane Van Gisbergen’s partner, and Tahan Lewfatt, David Reynolds’ girlfriend.

Mr Hitchcock said the successful event was likely to expand further next year.

Belinda Gavin, girlfriend of driver Paul Morris, organised the WAGS and WIMS (Women in Motorsport) Ultimate Race Day, and yesterday she said it went “unbelievably well”.

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre has been confirmed as the sole park and ride for the Gold Coast 600.

Tahan Lewfatt, partner of last year’s GC600 winner David Reynolds, gets behind the wheel. Picture: David Clark

Event organisers released the details yesterday as part of the event’s transport plan, saying anyone who parked there from Friday to Sunday would have a $10 cost per day.

Extra trams and buses will run throughout the weekend, but TransLink spokeswoman Kirby Orr advised commuters to “arrive early and enjoy the atmosphere” in case things get busy.

Temporary bus stops will be located on the eastern side of the Gold Coast Highway, between Waterways Drive and Tedder Ave at Broadbeach.

The V8 Supercar WAGS weren’t out of their depth on track, with their showings putting pressure on their men to perform at this weekend’s GC600. Picture: David Clark

A free shuttle bus will operate between Southport (Australia Fair) and Sea World, travelling via Main Beach Parade and Woodroffe Ave.

Log on to www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au at 1pm today to chat live with Holden Racing Team driver James Courtney.