Heidfeld and Andretti amongst names for Gold Coast 600

International drivers Nick Heidfeld, Marco Andretti and Darren Turner have been confirmed as starters in this year’s Armor All Gold Coast 600 at the launch of the event today.

Heidfeld and Andretti are set to pair with David Reynolds (The Bottle-O Racing) and Todd Kelly (Jack Daniel’s Racing) and respectively, while Turner’s place in Walkinshaw Racing’s three-car line-up is yet to be revealed.

Turner was a late addition to last year’s Gold Coast field after being drafted in to drive in place of Dan Wheldon, who was killed in an IndyCar accident the week before the event.

October will also mark Andretti’s second competitive visit to the Gold Coast, with the Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver having competed in the category’s non-points race in Surfers Paradise four years ago.

Heidfeld however will be having his first look at the famed street circuit. The 35-year-old German enjoyed an 183-race Formula 1 career between 2000 and 2011, before making the switch to sportscars this year.

Nine drivers have now been confirmed for the 2012 Armor Gold Coast 600 following the earlier announcements that Sebastien Bourdais and Richard Lyons will line-up with TeamVodafone, and Gianni Morbidelli, Max Papis, Peter Kox and Boris Said will drive for Dick Johnson Racing.

Today’s launch has also confirmed that American band Good Charlotte will spearhead the event’s off-track entertainment.

The event is set to take place on October 19-21, and will form the 12th event of the 2012 season.