V8 Supercars Back in Business
21/2/2004 8:17 (Danielle Schwerin) -
This weekend spells the end of a drought for fans of V8 Supercars, with the Konica Minolta Series revving up at Wakefield Park, near Goulburn.
After a long off-season, a 29 car strong field will hit the track this weekend, launching AVESCO’s racing year.
Established as a feeder category to the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Konica series has showcased some talented drivers since its inception in 2000, each of the Series’ champions having found a drive in the main series.
Konica Minolta, born of the now merged Japanese photography giants, has signed on as series sponsor, for 2004, in recognition of the previous successes of Konica’s partnership with the series.
This year’s series is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with a number of new competitors and teams joining the field aiming for the title of champion.
Chance of a Lifetime returns for its third year in the series with new driver Jamie Cartwright, winner of the 2002 and 2003 MG Trophy series, steering car 110.
Holden Young Lions will run two new drivers in their squad, teaming the talents of 20 year-old Michael Caruso (car 46) and 19 year-old Kurt Wimmer (car 96) with the experience of the John Faulkner and his team.
Dick Johnson Racing will also return for its second year in the series. Warren Luff, who was promoted to the main series, is replaced by Owen Kelly and Jose Fernandez in an expanded 2004 program.
Joining the series for the first time this year is Team Kiwi Racing, in partnership with Hydraulink, fielding car 111 for Mark Porter.
They all face off against some seasoned racers, including Matthew White (car 28), Luke Youlden (car 30) and Andrew Jones (car 19), who were some the main challengers to last year’s champion, Mark Winterbottom.
Qualifying for Sunday’s three races takes place at 14:15 today. Race 1 takes place at 11:30 tomorrow.
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