There will be a two-pronged attack from Team Australia on the Nikon Indy 300 with the green and gold livery of the Aussie Vineyards-backed team running on two cars at next weekend’s race around the streets of Surfers Paradise in Australia.

The cars of KV Racing Technology were unveiled in the pit lane of the Nikon Indy 300 circuit today, with Will Power on hand to unveil the two thoroughbred IndyCar racing machines of the Indianapolis-based team.

Power, driver of the #8 Aussie Vineyards – Team Australia car, will be joined by team-mate Oriol Servia in the colours of Team Australia for the big event, held October 23-26.

Servia’s #5 car has run in a silver, orange and blue livery this season, before switching to a red and white livery for the Chicago event last month. But for the Gold Coast race, the Spaniard will join Power in flying the colours of the home team.

“I think its great Oriol and I will both be flying the flag for Aussie Vineyards and Team Australia at the Nikon Indy 300 next week,” said Power.

“I know that Oriol loves this event, so it’s good that he will be able to join me in running the green and gold next weekend. I’m sure the massive Aussie crowd will cheer him on.”

At last year’s Australian event, Servia was fastest in Friday qualifying before Power secured his second-consecutive Gold Coast pole position on Saturday, giving the pair the front row of the grid for Sunday’s race.

“Hopefully we can both do just as well this year,” said Power.

“It will be extremely tough to match that performance because this year’s field is arguably the toughest in the 18-year history of this event, but our aim is to win so we will see how we go.”

The IndyCars hit the track for opening practice on Friday morning, with qualifying on Saturday and the Nikon Indy 300 held on Sunday.

2008 IndyCar Series Final Standings - After Race 17
1. #9 Scott Dixon 646
2. #3 Helio Castroneves 629
3. #11 Tony Kanaan 513
4. #10 Dan Wheldon 492
5. #6 Ryan Briscoe 447
6. #7 Danica Patrick 379
7. #26 Marco Andretti 363
8. #17 Ryan Hunter-Reay 360
9. #5 Oriol Servia 358
10. #27 Hideki Mutoh 346
12. #8 Will Power 331

2008 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Standings - After Race 17
1. #27 Hideki Mutoh 346
2. #02 Justin Wilson 340
3. #8 Will Power 331
4. #06 Graham Rahal 288
5. #33 EJ Viso 286
6. #19 Mario Moraes 244
7. #36 Enrique Bernoldi 220
8. #34 Jaime Camara 174
9. #96 Mario Dominguez 112
10. #24 Jay Howard 72

RACE SCHEDULE – 2008 Nikon Indy 300
Local Queensland (Australian Eastern Standard) Times
NB: Add one hour for Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Times)
Practice 1
Friday 24 October 2008
8:00am – 9:30am

Practice 2
Friday 24 October 2008
11:20am – 12:20pm

Final Practice
Saturday 25 October 2008
9:50am – 10:55am

PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
Saturday 25 October 2008
1:10pm – 2:50pm

Warm-Up
Sunday 26 October 2008
8:35am – 9:05am

Race – Nikon Indy 300
Sunday 26 October 2008
12:30pm Qld time
1:30pm AEDST

AUSTRALIAN TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 25 October 2008
Seven Network
12:00pm – 6:00pm AEDST
11:00am – 5:00pm Qld time

Sunday 26 October 2008
Seven Network
11:00am – 6:00pm AEDST
10:00am – 5:00pm Qld time

UNITED STATES TIMES
US Eastern Standard Time
Practice 1
Thursday 23 October 2008
6:00pm – 7:30pm

Practice 2
Thursday 23 October 2008
9:20pm – 10:20pm

Final Practice
Friday 24 October 2008
7:50pm – 8:55pm

PEAK Motor Oil Pole Qualifying
Friday 24 October 2008
11:10pm – 12:50am

Warm-Up
Saturday 25 October 2008
6:35pm – 7:05pm

Race – Nikon Indy 300
Saturday 25 October 2008
10:30pm US Eastern

UNITED STATES TV SCHEDULE
Saturday 25 October 2008
ESPN Classic
10:30pm US Eastern