Tony D’Alberto and Vitantonio Liuzzi will carry the colours of Italy into the Armor All Gold Coast 600 this weekend.
The #3 Team HIFLEX Ford Falcon will sport a new look bonnet, roof and boot, featuring Italy’s national flag.
The Italian theme represents four aspects of the team’s attack on the Surfers Paradise street circuit; the D’Alberto team’s family heritage; the homeland of guest co-driver Liuzzi; major sponsor’s HIFLEX’s heritage; and bonnet sponsor GB Galvanizing’s heritage.
Liuzzi returns to the famous Gold Coast race this year after competing with D’Alberto last year.
After competing in Formula 1 on and off for the past six years, Liuzzi has turned his hand to touring cars this year, racing in the International Superstars Series.
With three rounds and six races remaining in his debut touring car season, Liuzzi holds a comfortable series lead.
The Italian star will get a chance to be reacquainted with the #3 HIFLEX Ford at Queensland Raceway tomorrow (Wednesday) during the international co-driver test.
The Armor All Gold Coast 600 kicks off this Friday, with qualifying and racing to be held on Saturday and Sunday.
VITANTONIO LIUZZI (co-driver)
“Obviously I’ll be better prepared than last year. It took time for me to learn how the weight of a Touring Car needs to be moved, in terms of braking and approaching a corner,” said Vitantonio Liuzzi.
“When I went to Australia last year, I just drove in an aggressive way as if it was a single-seater. But in a Touring Car, you need to prepare more for the corner. You need to make adjustments and feel for the transition of the weight, to make sure the tyres has as much grip as possible.
“Last year wasn’t too bad, but I’m confident that this year I will come more prepared, and ready to do a better job.”
TONY D’ALBERTO (driver)
“We’ve given the car the Italian make over, with the red, white and green across the bonnet, roof and boot,” said Tony D’Alberto.
“The Armor All Gold Coast 600 is an international event, and we are really embracing that theme. Both myself and Antonio are very proud of our heritage, and we hope to see a few Italian flags waving in the crowd!”
AL D’ALBERTO (team owner)
“It’s fantastic to have Vitantonio back in Australia to race with our team,” said Al D’Alberto.
“He was a pleasure to have last year. He’s a total professional, and it’s great to see that he’s been have some success in similar touring cars over in Europe.
“WIth experience in our cars, plus the experience that he has gathered over this year, I hope that the HIFLEX Ford will be able to fight at the pointy end of the field this weekend.”
