Motorsport: Qualifying is key for V8s at Surfers

Garth Tander during practice for the Bathurst 1000 earlier this month. Photo / Getty Images

GOLD COAST - Holden Racing Team driver Garth Tander says qualifying will be more crucial than ever at this weekend's Gold Coast 600 V8 Supercar event.

With race organisers shortening the Surfers Paradise circuit by 1.48km to just 2.98km, Tander believes passing opportunities will be even more at a premium on the tight, unforgiving track.

"I think it's just going to make qualifying more important because there's going to be less chance of passing," he told AAP.

"We're going to need to make sure we're up the front basically.

"It's going to be making qualifying really, really critical because two of the key passing opportunities are now gone."

Tander, who overcame a series of dramas to battle his way to third with co-driver Cameron McConville at the Bathurst 1000 earlier this month, also feels breaking the weekend into two 300km races with co-drivers will make race strategy critical.

With 18 international guest drivers and 11 local part-timers sharing the driving responsibilities, Tander is anticipating a tough weekend.

"From a strategy point of view I think it's going to create a bit more opportunity for passing in pitlane and who's doing what with drivers and stuff like that," he said.

"It'll actually be physically an easier weekend than we've had here for a long time because you're not in the car the whole time.

"I think we'll see some pretty smart stuff strategy-wise and all the rest of it, so it'll be an interesting weekend.

"Certainly more interesting than a regular Gold Coast weekend that's for sure."

The Gold Coast 600 gets underway today with four practice sessions, before a 300km race on both Saturday and Sunday.

- AAP