"It's pretty good going into this event knowing I'm teamed up with someone who can really handle a V8 Supercar because, as you know, this place can be really unforgiving.
"Our car was strong here last year and, with the progress we've made this year, I'm confident we'll again be running up the front."
Dixon knows the Surfers Paradise circuit well, having raced there last year in the big taxis and in open wheelers when a round of the IndyCar series used to come calling. Dixon is one of the big names heading to the Gold Coast for the October 21-23 event, and others who have signed up include this year's Indy 500 pole sitter Alex Tagliani, European drivers Andy Priaulx, Marc Lieb and Dirk Muller, US hopeful Joey Hand and veteran Boris Said, Australian
IndyCar stars Will Power and Ryan Briscoe, French sports car pilot Simon Pagenaud, Brazilian Augusto Farfus and American Le Mans driver Marino Franchitti, brother of IndyCar series leader Dario.
The remaining 16 drivers who'll co-drive with the established V8 Supercars drivers are to be announced over the coming weeks.
Queensland Minister for Sport Phil Reeves said the return of Dixon was a tremendous coup for the event.
"To have Stone Brothers Racing pull together a Kiwi super team with the signing of Scott Dixon is great news and I am sure will bring even more attention to the event across in New Zealand," said Reeves.
"The depth of driver talent this year is shaping up incredibly well and will really cement the Armor All Gold Coast 600 as one of the world's most unique events in one of the world's greatest holiday destinations.
"We already have stars from eight different countries represented and I am sure there are still a few more surprises to come."
The only potential fly in the ointment to Dixon's participation in the race is that his wife, Emma, is expecting a baby around that time.
Ross and Jimmy Stone will no doubt have prepared a back-up plan just in case mother nature decides it's time for Emma to play mum.
"Surfers Paradise has always been a special place for me and anyone else that has raced there," said Dixon.
"It is almost like a home race for me, having been born in Brisbane and raised in New Zealand.
"It is going to be like the Kiwi super team with me driving with Shane [Van Gisbergen] in a car prepared by the Stone Brothers.
"Ross and Jimmy are obviously racing heroes in New Zealand and it is going to be pretty cool to drive for them," he said. "I enjoyed my first outing in a V8 Supercar with the Kelly boys last year and being part of an all-Kiwi assault will add a bit more spice.
"My wife, Emma, is due to have our second baby that week and it took a while for me to make up my mind to come, but she was insistent that I come back and race with Ross and Jimmy," he said. "We have a back-up plan and another driver on stand-by if we have any issues."
It'll be a busy time for Dixon and the other IRL drivers making the trip. Their last IndyCar race is the weekend before the Gold Coast event, followed by their series-ending big dinner. Then again, these guys are used to rushing about.
The legend of Scott Dixon
Born: July 22, 1980
Place: Brisbane, Australia
Hometown: Auckland, New Zealand
Lives: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Marital Status: Married to Emma
Current Series: IndyCar Series
Team: Target Chip Ganassi Racing
V8 Supercar team for the 2011 Gold Coast event: SP Tools Racing
Career Highlights: 2009; 2nd place in IndyCar Series
2003 and 2008; IndyCar Series Champion
2008; Indianapolis 500 winner
2006; Rolex 24 at Daytona Winner (with Casey Mears and Dan Wheldon)
2000; Indy Lights Champion
1998; Australian Drivers' Champion
Interesting Facts:
Has made three open-wheel starts on the Gold Coast; in CART in 2001 and 2002; and in IndyCar in 2008, where he finished second to Ryan Briscoe in the non-championship race.
Raced at the 2010 Armor All Gold Coast 600 with Todd Kelly of Jack Daniel's Racing, after previously having tested a Holden Young Lions Commodore at Calder in the late 1990s before he embarked on his American racing career.
Wife Emma was a former Welsh and British 800-metre champion runner. Tested for WilliamsF1 in 2005. Is in his 10th straight season with Target Chip Ganassi Racing.
