2009 V8 Supercar Teams

[HRDHSV]

KELLY RACING OPENS ITS DOORS FOR V8 SUPERCAR ASSAULT

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ONE of Australian sport's most ambitious projects was officially launched in Melbourne today when brothers Todd and Rick Kelly opened the doors on a new four-car V8 Supercar team. Impressive state-of-the-art facilities in Braeside will be the home of two Jack Daniel's-backed Holden Commodores driven by the Kelly Brothers a Dodo backed Holden Commodore to be driven by Jack Perkins and a fourth Commodore by Dale Wood.

The project comes after 10 years in the sport by the Kelly family and with the blessing and major support of Holden.

The move will make Todd and Rick Kelly the only owner-drivers in the series, which will consist of 14 championship venues this year throughout Australia, New Zealand and Bahrain.

"We are extremely excited to have built what we have from scratch by combining 10 years of family knowledge, some first class sponsorship partners and the passion and enthusiasm of the Kelly Racing employees," said Todd Kelly.

"Holden has been critical in the whole process and are providing significant support as we drive forward with all of our plans.

"The enthusiasm and morale around our race shop is just awesome and everyone is itching to get out on the race track.

"This is by far the most exciting time of my racing career and to put together what we have in a pretty short period of time is outstanding and an absolute credit to all our guys.

"Jack Daniel's are a fantastic company and brand to be in partnership with and we have had positive talks with several other leading companies who have shown genuine interest in our new operation."

Rick Kelly believes this new concept is going to be a significant change for his career and one he cannot wait to tackle head-on.

"This is something very different from what I have been used to and it brings me to a new chapter in my career," said Rick Kelly.

"I am looking forward to being able to have more input and involvement in the day to day operations as well as race weekends.

"I think everyone involved in this program over the last few months has learnt a lotabout teamwork and if the passion being shown behind the doors at Kelly Racing is any indication, then I think we are going to be competitive." Holden Motorsport boss, Simon McNamara, said that Kelly Racing would give Holden fans plenty to cheer about throughout the year.

"Todd and Rick Kelly have been tremendous ambassadors for Holden, HoldenMotorsport and our associated brands for many years," said McNamara.

"Both drivers have been successful in their own right and possess so many of the key elements needed to be successful in this business."

The Jack Daniel's Racing and Dodo Racing Holdens will hit the track at Winton in North-East Victoria tomorrow for a initial shakedown, while all four Kelly entries will return for an official V8 Supercar test day on Monday, March 9.



JACK DANIEL'S TEAM UP WITH THE KELLY GANG


V8 Supercar brothers Todd and Rick Kelly will drive for the same team and in the same colours full-time this season after the covers were officially taken off their Jack Daniel's Holden Commodores in Melbourne today.

The pair has established its own V8 Supercar operation during the off-season and it was at the new Kelly Racing headquarters in the Melbourne suburb of Braeside where the Jack Daniel's machines were unveiled for the first time.

Todd Kelly will drive the #7 Jack Daniel's Commodore while brother Rick will have the familiar #15 on the side of his Jack Daniel's Holden. Both will make their race debuts at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 19-22.

A common team and naming rights sponsor means that the Kelly brothers will not only have a major presence on track all season, but will also combine to form one of the strongest driver pairings for the annual endurance events at Phillip Island and Bathurst.

The only time that the two have raced together was in the 2006 endurance events when they drove the HSV Toll Commodore to second place at Bathurst's Mt Panorama.

Brown Forman, owners of the Jack Daniel's trademark, confirmed their support of the new team through Australian Managing Director Michael McShane.

The cars will campaign all 14 championship rounds and the non-championship events at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne and will continue to strongly campaign Jack Daniel's community-focused ‘Pace Yourself. Drink Responsibly' program.

Jack Daniel's joined the V8 Supercar ranks with Perkins Racing in 2006 and teams up with Kelly Racing after the closure of Larry Perkins' race operations at the end of last season. Perkins' company will be a strong partner in the new operation - building it's cars and providing on-going technical support.

Today's announcement means that Todd Kelly extends his relationship with Jack Daniel's after first being given the keys to the famous black and white #7 machine last season.

"I had an instant bond with Jack Daniel's and its key personnel last season at Perkins Racing and it's fantastic that they have joined us as our naming-rights partner," said Todd Kelly.

"Jack Daniel's is one of the strongest brands in the world and we are privileged to have it on the side of our cars in our debut season.

"Jack Daniel himself once said in reference to his Tennessee whiskey ‘every day we make it, we'll make it the best we can', and I guess if we take the same attitude into our new racing operation we can only move forward.

"The Jack Daniel's management, staff and customer base are some of the best people I have had the pleasure of meeting in racing and I look forward to making our operation as competitive as possible for all of them in 2009.

"Rick Kelly, who won the V8 Supercar Championship in 2007, believes that 2009 will be a "new beginning" for everyone involved with Kelly Racing.

"The support we have had from Jack Daniel's as we have gone through the tough months of establishing our own team has been incredible," said Rick.

"This is obviously an exciting year for our entire family because we have the responsibility of our own team, Todd and I get to race together as teammates in V8 Supercar and we have all that to share with Jack Daniel's and everyone associated with the brand.

"Todd and I will be racing each other as hard as ever, but from now on I guess we will be a little happier if the other one manages a big result."

McShane says that his company has enjoyed its time in V8 Supercar racing, but that it intended to use all of the knowledge it has gained in the first three years to take the Jack Daniel's brand to a new level with Kelly Racing this season.

"V8 Supercars has provided some great marketing opportunities for the Jack Daniel's brand over the last three years and we look forward to ramping that up with Todd and Rick and their new team in 2009," said McShane.

"Starting their own operation is a major step for the boys, but we applaud their passion and commitment to the sport and believe they will both be great ambassadors for the Jack Daniel's brand.

"If the work ethic they have displayed over the last couple of months in structuring this team is any indication, I think we can expect some solid results and maybe the chance to celebrate with a quiet sip of Jack Daniel's on a Sunday night or two.

"We enjoyed our time with Larry Perkins Racing and his efforts to bring us into the sport and it is great that he won't be too far away because of his major contribution on the technical side of the new team."

The two-car Jack Daniel's team will be half of a four-car assault being campaigned by Kelly Racing in 2009 with Jack Perkins and Dale Wood driving the other two Holden entries.

The Jack Daniel's Racing Holden's will hit the track at Winton in North-East Victoria tomorrow for a initial shakedown, while all four Kelly Racing entries will return for an official V8 Supercar test day on Monday, Mach 9.

[HRDHSV]

SCAR Unveils Ingall's New V8 Commodore

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Friday, 6 March 2009

Supercheap Auto Racing hero Russell Ingall warned his three podium finishes in 2008 were merely a taste of what is to come as he unveiled a new Holden Commodore race car featuring a striking team livery that is just like him – bright, colourful and aggressive.

The distinctive paintwork adorns a VE Commodore that has been built specifically for Ingall’s ‘09 campaign at the team’s Gold Coast headquarters, and has drawn on every lesson and trick the team learned in his highly successful first season with the team last year.

The team was awarded V8 Supercars’ trophy for Most Improved Team, largely on the back of Ingall’s performances.

“My new Supercheap Auto Racing Commodore is a vast improvement over last year’s car; we’ve had more time to build it, so the attention to detail is amazing,” he said.

“We’ve also been making changes from what we learned last year, so this car will be better built and faster.”

The newly completed Holden features a broad flash of white down each side, joining the explosive yellow, red and black bolts of colour that form the distinctive trademark of major sponsor Supercheap Auto.

Another innovation in the SCAR pits this season will be a new teammate for Ingall, replacing retired team owner Paul Morris. Young gun Tim Slade gets his first crack at the V8 Supercar Championship Series and the winner of the Privateer’s Cup in last year’s Fujitsu V8 development series admitted he couldn’t wait to get started.

“This is what I’ve wanted of since I was a teenager in Adelaide watching the V8s, so to finally achieve a V8 Supercar drive and debut at the Clipsal 500, my hometown race, is a dream come true,” said Slade.

“It’ll be tough; two street races straight up, but Russell and Paul have experienced it many times before so I couldn’t have two better blokes to ask advice and learn from.”

Ingall, the 2005 series champion, said nothing less than race wins would suffice this year as he attempted to better 2008’s ninth placing in championship standings – a result not even he would have expected.

“Last year was a huge change for everyone, especially me, after five years with another team and manufacturer. The reason I’m feeling so confident is that we did good; we finished the year strongly, challenged for the round win in Sydney and now, with team stability and an even better car, I know we’ll be faster,” he said.

“The new look is sensational and I’m jumping out of my skin ready to race – I’m pretty confident because this is the best I’ve been prepared for a season in years.”

And as always, the man affectionately dubbed “The Enforcer” by Holden fans intends to pull no punches, on or off the track in 2009. “I’m not going out there to win friends among the drivers. I’ll be out there to win races, and race as hard as I can for fans of the Supercheap Auto Racing team,” he said.

Ingall will shake down his new car at the official pre-season test day at Queensland Raceway on Wednesday, March 11 while Slade will also appear for the first time in an identically-liveried SCAR VE Commodore – Slade’s car owned by long-time supporter James Rosenberg.

Major sponsors Supercheap Auto, Castrol, Holden and Sirromet have been joined in 2009 by new supporters TEX Onsite, Gawler Farm Machinery and DSG@HOME.

The 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series kicks off with the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on 19-22 March

[HRDHSV]

Culture change at Sprint Gas Racing

Release date: 24/02/2009

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Sprint Gas Racing has undergone a radical revamp over the off-season, hiring a new driver, taking on new team personnel and of course, freshening up car liveries.

At the team’s launch today (Tuesday) at the Sandhurst Club, ‘old hand’ Greg Murphy and new ‘recruit’ Jason Bargwanna unveiled the team’s new deep red, white and blue paint scheme to sponsors and the media.

Team Manager Jeff Grech said it was the first time in the team’s history it has featured red.

“Red is one of Sprint Gas’ corporate colours and a colour that stands out well on and off the track,” he said.

“Our focus was to design a livery that was clean and stylish (and) we’ve definitely achieved this.”

Murphy’s father, Kevin, who is also a part owner in the team, will move back into the role of Managing Director to enable Grech to focus on the racing element of the team.

Fellow part owner, Tim Miles, said the team was forced to re-evaluate after a disappointing 2008.

“The key thing we found was our resources were stretched too thin or we didn’t have the right resources and we used the off-season to address that,” he said.

Sprint Gas Racing has employed Mike Henry (formerly of Holden Racing Team) to head the team’s engineering department, and industry stalwart Pete Smith will assist Henry.

And both of the cars have new number one mechanics – Luke Mannix who has moved across from Britek and Ben Burville from HRT.

Miles said while the team had been disrupted over the last few off-seasons due to new cars, bringing its engine department in-house and moving from Sydney to Melbourne, the last off-season gave the team a chance to settle into its skin.

“Every off-season we have done about 250 days of work in 100 days; that was still the same for this year, but it hasn’t been panicked work,” he explained.

“This year we have focused on what we’ve got… and I think that’s one of the key differences.

“We’re going to start the season prepared and I don’t think we’ve been able to do that before.”

Grech said the team has spent time fine-tuning itself for the year.

“The cars have been renewed for this season and we have been able to concentrate on some new go fast bits,” he said.

Greg Murphy acknowledged the team’s improvement.

“We’ve made a big step forward in presentation; today we look like a professional team,” he said.

“I’m feeling refreshed and ready and I believe the cars will be more competitive this year compared to last year, thanks to some good development… podiums are definitely on the agenda.

Bargwanna said he “seriously” could not wait to hit the track.

“I love the look of the team and the cars, we look sensational,” he said.

“It’s obvious to me how good the quality of the cars are and the team has pulled out all the stops to make me feel welcome and comfortable.

“If we go as good as we look then we’ll be doing all right.”

Author:Briar Gunther

[HRDHSV]

David Reynolds fills final seat in 2009 V8 Supercar field with new team

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Accomplished young gun David Reynolds was today announced as the newest entrant onto the V8 Supercar circuit, landing a seat within the Walkinshaw Racing stable with a new team and a new sponsor in Bundaberg Rum.

Bundaberg Rum will back Reynolds this year in the #24 Walkinshaw Racing prepared VE Commodore with its newest product Bundaberg Red.

After supporting the V8 Supercar series for the past two years, Bundaberg Rum will make its first appearance as major backer of a V8 Supercar team.

“I am extremely excited to be driving for the Bundaberg Red Racing Team,” Reynolds said.

“It’s a real dream come true to be able to compete in this year’s V8 Supercar Championship – the pinnacle of Australian motor sport.”

Born and bred in Albury, on the New South Wales and Victorian border, Reynolds made his motor racing debut in karts at the young age of six where he began his rise through the Australian motorsport ranks.

He has successfully competed in a host of different motorsport categories from Formula Ford to Porsche Carrera Cup.

In 2004 he triumphed in the Australian Formula Ford series, taking the crown aged just 18. In three short years in Carrera Cup he became the youngest champion in the series history with a Championship victory in 2007.

His Carrera Cup achievements included five round wins, 15 podiums, 14 race wins and four pole positions.

Determined to continue his climb to the V8 Supercar series Reynolds joined the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series in 2008 with Tony D’Alberto Racing.

In his first year he finished on the podium twice in the seven round series and finished the year fourth in the Championship. Three of his rivals in the top five were former main game competitors.

“Last year I was able to gain invaluable V8 Supercar experience competing in the Fujitsu series, with Walkinshaw Racing support, and in the enduros with the Autobarn Racing Team.

“I have been given an incredible opportunity to drive for the Walkinshaw Racing squad this year and I am going to give it my all” he continued.

While there will be a lot of expectations on Reynolds to come up with Top 10 finishes from the first round, he is realistic about just how tough the competition will be.

“I am not expecting to go out there and be winning races straight up, but consistently finishing and improving my results as the season progresses is my main aim.”

Bundaberg Distilling Company Chairman John Green said ”To partner with Walkinshaw Racing in Australia’s premier motorsport category is tremendously exciting”

“Bundaberg Red is the newest product in the Bundaberg Rum portfolio, and having the opportunity for Bundaberg Red to be able to support a new team, and new driver in David Reynolds is fantastic”

“We are also committed to continuing our responsible drinking campaign, through our partnership with Holden Special Vehicles and Walkinshaw Racing. The Bundaberg Fine Form awards began in 2006 and were centred around rewarding consumers for staying in control on their nights out”

“Bundaberg Red Racing evolves our message to “Driven by Fine Form – Stay in Control”, speaking to a common thread of staying in control - both on and off the road.

“Displaying Fine Form remains as relevant for Bundaberg Rum consumers as it does for HSV owners – and we are excited by the ability to activate this through the new Bundaberg Red Racing team.

Reynolds will steer a Walkinshaw Racing prepared VE Commodore, run out of the same factory as sister teams, the Toll Holden Racing Team and Team Autobarn. It will feature the iconic Bear logo and distinctive Bundaberg Red Racing colours.

Walkinshaw Racing CEO, Craig Wilson, said Reynolds thoroughly deserved to be on the starting grid for the new season.

“We are looking forward to having a driver like Reynolds on board - he has an incredible amount of racing talent and will fit well into the Walkinshaw Racing garage.”

“We’re delighted that Bundaberg Red has come onboard as the sponsor of the #24 car, along with the support of HSV, Toll, Mobil 1 and Bridgestone – all long-term investors in the success of our cars.”

“Importantly two of David’s long term personal sponsors, in Purple Pig and Harbour I.T. have continued their involvement with this exciting driver, as he makes a foray into the main game.”

Bundaberg Red Racing will launch into V8 Supercars next month at the first event on the V8 Supercar calendar, the Clipsal 500, which begins in Adelaide on March 19.

Visit www.bundabergredracing.com.au for more information on the Bundaberg Red Racing Team and for a range of information on ‘Driven by Fine Form’.

[HRDHSV]

GT-R confirmed as new Safety Car

Release date: 27/02/2009


Nissan has confirmed that its brand new street machine, the GT-R, will become the new V8 Supercars Safety Car.

Nissan Australia Managing Director, Dan Thompson, made the announcement to assembled media at the Melbourne International Motor Show this morning (Friday).

The company’s Corporate Communications Manager, Jeff Fisher, said the company had a two year contract with V8 Supercars Australia, “but we hope there will be more”.

He said the wide fan base that V8 Supercars enjoyed would increase the profile of Nissan and the GT-R.

“We want to broaden the appeal and the awareness of Nissan, not only for the GT-R but for (all models),” he said.

“It is such a great corporate brand building exercise; it has been for Chrysler and we think it will be too.”

Nissan and the GT-R was last involved in Australia’s premier touring car category in 1992, when Jim Richards and Mark Skaife controversially piloted the model to victory for the second consecutive year at the Bathurst 1000.

When asked whether an almost two decade hiatus from V8 Supercars was enough water under the bridge, Fisher replied: “I guess that’s for the punters to decide.”

“But symbolically, it’s great to be back,” he said.

The Nissan GT-R road-going version recently achieved a lap time of 7min 29sec around the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, one of the fastest times ever achieved by a production vehicle.

It features a 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 engine producing 357kW and 588Nm and road versions of the car will be officially available from Nissan Australia from April.

Author:Briar Gunther/Allan Edwards

[HRDHSV]

Skaifey gets plum V8 TV role

Release date: 05/03/2009


Five-time Bathurst Champ Mark Skaife will join former teammate Neil Crompton to deliver V8 Supercar commentary for the Seven Network this year.

The exciting announcement for V8 fans was made at V8 Supercars Australia’s 2009 launch at Federation Square in Melbourne yesterday (Wednesday).

V8 Supercar Chairman Tony Cochrane was delighted that Skaife, who retired from Holden Racing Team at the end of last year, would remain a part of the V8 community.

Cochrane said Skaife would also play a role in the future direction of V8 Supercars to ensure the sport remained a success.

Skaife said he was looking forward to his new role, but that it would not sink in until the first round of the 2009 Championship in Adelaide in a fortnight.

“Probably until we get to Clipsal it won’t feel like anything’s changed so at the moment it’s like the off-season,” he said.

Skaife applauded the myriad of changes to be introduced to the 2009 Championship, including a softer tyre compound for a number of V8 events, the introduction of E85 fuel and changes to qualifying.

“When you have those sorts of things that can change the course of the race, it’s got to be good for all of us whether you’re in your lounge room or at the races,” he said.

At the launch, Cochrane said the off-season between the 2008 and 2009 championships felt particularly long.

“I can’t wait, 14 days and we’re back at the Clipsal 500 and the long wait has finally finished,” he said.

“We have been working hard in the off-season… to make sure we deliver a fantastic new season of entertainment and motor racing excellence.

“It’s often been said by me that we are the best touring car championship in the world today and I’m going to stand right by that statement.”

Cochrane said the Seven Network will provide 151 hours of live coverage of the season in every state and territory.

“That’s obviously a very important part of getting our Championship out to people from Broome to Brisbane and out to Burnie in Tasmania and well beyond with our international coverage,” he said.

Cochrane said 2009 was a watershed year for the category with the introduction of the Townsville and Sydney street races.

“It gives us a chance to appear in front of even more fans and general public than ever before,” he said.

“Already I’m pleased to announce that Townsville has sold in excess of 70,000 tickets which is an incredible achievement for North Queensland and we can’t wait to head up there on July 10-12 and crack it around the streets of Townsville for the first time ever.

“It’s going to be an amazing weekend for all of us.”

Cochrane said the Homebush race in Sydney will be one of the great events in world motorsport.

“For those of you that are wondering is it going to be great value for money ticket-wise, we’ve signed up some fantastic entertainment to make sure the whole of Sydney, the whole of Australia are in for a great party that weekend.”

At the launch, Cochrane talked about the $100,000 that V8 Supercars Australia had donated to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal and urged fans to attend the test day at Winton Raceway this Monday, March 9.

V8 Supercars’ new Nissan GT-R Safety car was also on display at Melbourne’s Federation Square during the launch.

[murph_fan51]

Cheers HRDHSV for posting that!

[Rick Kelly is awesome!!!]

KELLY RACING OPENS ITS DOORS FOR V8 SUPERCAR ASSAULT

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I went to the Clipsal on the weekend, met both Rick and Todd and got them to sign my new JD Racing/Kelly Racing t-shirt :D:D:D. I think Kelly Racing will be a pretty strong team, maybe not this year but definately next year they'll win a championship.

xx
________
Babi mac break away (http://babimac.com/)

[HRDHSV]

Cheers HRDHSV for posting that!

No worries mate;)

[HRDHSV]

I went to the Clipsal on the weekend, met both Rick and Todd and got them to sign my new JD Racing/Kelly Racing t-shirt :D:D:D. I think Kelly Racing will be a pretty strong team, maybe not this year but definately next year they'll win a championship.

xx

Thats awsome RKIA, they can only get stronger:)