A couple of Sir Jack's open-wheel racers will cut a few laps and Matthews will be involved in a special re-enactment of his grandfathers inaugural 1959 championship victory in which he pushed his car over the line at Sebring in Florida to clinch the title.
The group of legendary touring cars and drivers will be on constant display in a free public pit area and there will be at least two autograph sessions during the weekend.
The entire group will share stories and swap tales during the gala ball at Conrad Jupiters on Friday night.
“We need to put the
A1GP situation behind us, re-group and put on the best show possible for the fans and television viewers,” said Minister Reeves. “In a very short period of time we have managed to secure some of the greatest names and cars in Australian motorsport history to compete on the streets of the Gold Coast next weekend.
“With some of these legendary cars and the magical
V8 Supercars we have an amazing celebration of Australian motorsport. To have names like Johnson, Bartlett, Seton and Bond sitting in pit lane beside modern day heroes like Whincup, Tander, Lowndes and Ingall is going to fantastic and more than a suitable replacement for the former category.
“When you add the tribute to Sir Jack and involvement of the Brabham family you have something pretty special.”
Queensland motorsport legend Dick Johnson and co-owner of V8 Supercar team Jim Beam Racing, said the “party must go on” and he could not think of a better way to add to his “home” event.
Johnson and his V8 Supercar driving son, Steve, have also been named joint grand marshals as part of the announcement.
“It is un-Australian to sit back and bitch and moan, we need to get on with it,” said Johnson.
“I think the Minister and his group needs to be congratulated for acting so fast to pull this fantastic group together after
A1GP left the event in a very difficult situation.
“So many fans will have only seen pictures of some of these cars. For them to be able to see them in action and get up close to them will be something special and I cannot wait to get out there and have a blast around.”
