FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26: A high-speed passenger ride in a V8 Supercar with Bathurst-bound Ford racer and former Dancing With The Stars competitor James Courtney will be among prizes offered at an RSPCA Gold Coast fundraiser next Thursday (October 2).

The prize can be won at a trivia night at Red Rock Waterfront Bar and Grill at Hope Island Marina Shopping Village. The event is part of the RSPCA's national awareness week from October 1-8.

Teams of four to six will compete in a series of questions, raffles, and games, with top prize a chance for one person to ride as a passenger alongside JELD-WEN Falcon racer Courtney for laps of the Queensland Raceway circuit near Ipswich on December 17.

"It's a great prize," said Courtney. "This year I've taken Jennifer Hawkins, plus David Koch (Channel 7 'Sunrise' host), and Sam Gilbert from the St Kilda AFL team for 'hot laps' at various race tracks and they all enjoyed it because it was something completely different for them."

Courtney, who finished second in the 2007 Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and is racing with David Besnard in this year's event at Mount Panorama from October 9-12, will attend the RSPCA Gold Coast trivia night.

He said animal welfare was important to him because he has two Chocolate tri-border collie pet dogs at the Hope Island waterfront home he shares with wife Carys, an RSPCA Gold Coast committee member, and eight-month-old daughter Zara.

"The RSPCA do a great job providing shelter and care for more than 130,000 animals each year, and educating children," said the Stone Brothers Racing driver.

"Carys and I have taken our dogs on the RSPCA's (Million) Paws Walk and I'm always keen to help out when I can."

Other prizes at the RSPCA Gold Coast trivia night include a $250 hamper of pet food products from Greencross Vets.

Tickets to the event are $35 per person. Bookings - Tel: (0419) 250-681, (07) 5510-9085. Red Rock Waterfront Bar and Grill is located at Shop 18, Santa Barbara Road, Marina Shopping Village, Hope Island.

MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Mike Porter - Tel: (0417) 311-997. E-mail: mikep@qldnet.com.au