clubby 285
05-12-2008, 06:37 AM
HOLDEN star Mark Skaife yesterday pondered his future after crashing out of the Perth round of the V8 Supercars, saying he had no immediate plans to retire but would step down when the time was right.
The five-time Bathurst winner said the Holden Racing Team was planning for life without him.
Yesterday he was collected by Ford driver Steven Richards on the first lap of the second race at Barbagallo.
"For a few years now we have been looking at younger blokes at some stage to take over from me," Skaife said.
"That was James Courtney, originally. We would be derelict if we didn't look at good young talent, and clearly there are some good young drivers out there.
"We have looked as a team to what the future might look like. But we certainly haven't looked at what my exit is. There is no time frame.
"When people ask me, I say I could drive for up to five years if I wanted to. But that is if I am still enjoying it and still competitive."
Skaife, 41, said he was still at the top of his game.
"If you take the course of this year, we roll out at Adelaide and I am equal fastest," Skaife said.
"You go to Eastern Creek for the next round and I was the fastest all day and ended up on the top row of the grid.
"If I was going poorly, I would be genuinely thinking about it. In the race yesterday we didn't quite win, but we battled quite hard to be competitive. I'm going well and I am at my best.
"I am the biggest critic of Mark Skaife and if I feel I am not going well, I will be the first one to admit it. In the best interest of Holden, I will not hold back this team."
Skaife said SBR driver Courtney, who has been linked to a switch to HRT next year, had "pumped up his own tyres" after the driver said there had been strong interest from a team such as HRT.
"It is probably favourable for James to talk those things up," Skaife said.
"It raises his stocks."
Skaife crashed out of yesterday's race after a bump from teammate Garth Tander.
After being forced out wide, Skaife was hit by Richards, forcing him into the wall.
"It has actually hit flat against the wall and it hasn't gone into the roll cage or anything," Skaife said.
"I think the car will be repairable, but it is a fair job. It is the hardest hit I have had for a while, but I am OK."
The five-time Bathurst winner said the Holden Racing Team was planning for life without him.
Yesterday he was collected by Ford driver Steven Richards on the first lap of the second race at Barbagallo.
"For a few years now we have been looking at younger blokes at some stage to take over from me," Skaife said.
"That was James Courtney, originally. We would be derelict if we didn't look at good young talent, and clearly there are some good young drivers out there.
"We have looked as a team to what the future might look like. But we certainly haven't looked at what my exit is. There is no time frame.
"When people ask me, I say I could drive for up to five years if I wanted to. But that is if I am still enjoying it and still competitive."
Skaife, 41, said he was still at the top of his game.
"If you take the course of this year, we roll out at Adelaide and I am equal fastest," Skaife said.
"You go to Eastern Creek for the next round and I was the fastest all day and ended up on the top row of the grid.
"If I was going poorly, I would be genuinely thinking about it. In the race yesterday we didn't quite win, but we battled quite hard to be competitive. I'm going well and I am at my best.
"I am the biggest critic of Mark Skaife and if I feel I am not going well, I will be the first one to admit it. In the best interest of Holden, I will not hold back this team."
Skaife said SBR driver Courtney, who has been linked to a switch to HRT next year, had "pumped up his own tyres" after the driver said there had been strong interest from a team such as HRT.
"It is probably favourable for James to talk those things up," Skaife said.
"It raises his stocks."
Skaife crashed out of yesterday's race after a bump from teammate Garth Tander.
After being forced out wide, Skaife was hit by Richards, forcing him into the wall.
"It has actually hit flat against the wall and it hasn't gone into the roll cage or anything," Skaife said.
"I think the car will be repairable, but it is a fair job. It is the hardest hit I have had for a while, but I am OK."