NEW HEIGHTS FOR RACE OF STARS INTERNATIONALS

Six of the international drivers high above the Gold Coast on the SkyPoint climb atop the Q1 Building.

Six of the international drivers that have arrived on the Gold Coast for this weekend’s Race of Stars have hit new heights taking in the SkyPoint climb atop the Q1 Building today before the action starts tomorrow.

Rising 270m into the air, the SkyPoint Climb is Australia’s highest external building climb and provides unparalleled 360′ views of the Gold Coast and beyond.

Over 230 competitors representing no less than eight nations will take part in this weekend’s event – the fifth time it has been run at the Xtreme Karting Complex in Pimpama.

Headlining the entry list is defending Champion, Paolo De Conto from Italy, who successfully defended his World Championship just a few weeks ago in Germany, which added to the European Championship for the CRG chassis factory.

“To win a Surfboard would be a great way to cap off a really good year,” said de Conto. “To win the World Championship again and three of the four rounds of the European Championship has been a great effort from the team.

“Coming out here to the Gold Coast is fun, we all race very hard against each other, but have a lot of respect for each other on the track.”

Five-time World Champion and twice Race of Stars winner, Davide Fore is back again for Gold Kart and is aiming to take a surfboard back to Italy with him. It would be a just reward after what has been a challenging year for the karting icon.

“I want to do my best to get the surfboard and be on the podium, amazing experience, very high speed around this track,” said Fore.

“Last year was very close but complicated after a crash in the heats, which made it hard for the final, we were fast but not strong enough to win, but this year, I hope we can improve a little to go in the right direction to win.”

A newcomer to Australia and the Race of Stars is Belgian, Rick Dreezen. He will line up for Patrizicorse in a BirelART chassis and having seen the track this morning is raring to go.

“It is a very competitive field, I’m really looking forward to this event,” said Dreezen.

“I haven’t had the best season in Europe, but this is a one off race. The team has some great data with Marijn (Kremers – last year’s runner up) having performed well here in the past.

“I didn’t fly for two days half way around the world just to make up the numbers.”

Practice will start tomorrow at the Xtreme Karting Complex in Pimpama with racing on Saturday and Sunday.

Entry is free to the public.

Keep an eye on Facebook.com/RaceofStars for updates throughout the weekend.