Gore: Paint the country green and gold
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Team Australia co-owner Craig Gore gets into the spirit of things by “surfing" one of Cav’s Steakhouse’s famous themed cows |
Gore said he would love to see the whole of the country painted in Green and Gold as Power tries to become the first Australian to win a round of the Champ Car World Series on home soil.
Power sent the crowd into ruptures when he captured provisional pole on the Friday of last year’s event and then clinched the number one starting spot the next day.
“This is the biggest motorsport event of the year in Australia and we have a talented young guy who is more than capable of winning it in Will Power," said Gore.
“There is so much hype about this year’s event already and it is only going to build as this week progresses and I will be doing everything in my power to encourage it.
“Paint your dog, house, car in green and gold and start practicing the national anthem, this is going to be one hell of a week."
Power led the race from the pole in the early stages last year and was then “taken out" by series champion Sebastien Bourdais, which ultimately cost him a race win.
“I think we saw how passionate Australian sports fans can be at last year’s event," said Gore.
“Team Australia and Will Power gave them something to cheer for, and cheer they did. That is only going to be bigger and better next weekend and I cannot wait."
Power joined hundreds of his youngest supporters at a Nippers session at the Southport Surf Life Saving Club on the Gold Coast this morning.
Power personally gave each of them a sample of the 20,000 Team Australia flags that Gore will flood the track with on Sunday.
“There is nothing more Australian than a heap of Aussie kids on the beach at a Nippers day," said Gore, who will also be campaigning a two-car V8 Supercar team on the streets of Surfers Paradise this weekend.
“I am sure we have a few hundred new Will Power fans after this morning and hopefully a lot of them will encourage mum and dad to take them to the track this week."
Gore then joined Power and his young French team-mate Simon Pagenaud for a locally-grown steak at Cav’s famous steakhouse on the Gold Coast.
Cav’s is one of hundreds of Gold Coast businesses which get behind the race 100 per cent by decorating its premises before and during race week – complete with green and gold cows on the front lawn.
“We had to give Simon (Pagenaud) a bit of a taste of Australian lifestyle and what a better way to do it with a morning at the beach and a good Aussie steak for lunch," said Gore.
“He is the adopted Aussie at Team Australia and has done a solid job for us this season after winning Team Australia its first championship in the Champ Car Atlantic Series last year.
“He is starting to get an idea of what this event means to everyone in Queensland, but he has not seen anything yet."
The Champ Cars and V8 Supercars will hit the track for the first time on Friday morning.