Larry trusts keys with youngsters Murchison, Youlden
28/8/2000 17:39 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) - Veteran V8 Supercar owner/driver Larry Perkins will hand the keys to his second Castrol enduro Commodore to two drivers more than half his age, with today’s signing of Christian Murchison and Luke Youlden.
19-year-old Formula Holden young-gun Murchison, and Formula Ford star Luke Youlden, 22, will pilot a second Castrol Perkins VT Commodore in the upcoming Queensland 500 and Bathurst FAI 1000.
Perkins, as he has does since 1995, will share the lead car with Russell Ingall.
“I’m not getting any younger and Russell isn’t a spring chicken in this game either. We’ve got the experience, so I thought we should balance the scales up with a bit of youthful endeavour," Bathurst master Perkins, 50, said in announcing his newest recruits.
"I always wanted to be able to give some talented younger guys a go, guys that may not otherwise get the opportunity because they don’t come with sponsorship dollars,” he said.
Both Murchison and Youlden were in the heat of battle at Mallala Raceway yesterday, and completed their respective open-wheeler seasons in emphatic fashion.
Youlden, from Formula Ford powerhouse Mygale, claimed the prestigious Formula Ford Championship crown yesterday after holding title hopefuls Rick Kelly, Leanne Ferrier and Stewart McColl at bay.
Formula Holden’s Rookie of the Year, Christian Murchison, won his fourth race of the series at Mallala yesterday, but fell short of the line in regards to the championship, eventually won by Simon Wills. Murchison finishes the year in second position on the CAMS Gold Star table, ahead of Matthew Halliday and Tim Leahey.
Perkins says both Youlden and Murchison, who tested with the team prior to any announcement being made, earned their position in the Castrol squad on driving talent alone.
"I purposely looked to the up-and-coming drivers in the development category ranks because I wanted guys that were proven performers and who were ready to make the big step up to V8s," Perkins said.
"I gave the nod to Christian and Luke on the basis that they were talented, enthusiastic and had the potential to apply their considerable skills to tin-top racing and make the transition without too much difficulty.”
"Their performance in testing proved they could handle the car and I’m confident they will put in a fair effort come the 500 and 1000,” he said.
Youlden, who shot to prominence after winning both Formula Ford support races at Bathurst last year, is determined to break into the V8 world and hopes the Perkins seat will be the ideal platform to launch from.
A determined Youlden, who is as skilled in building cars as he is in racing them, sent his resume to the Castrol garage after hearing of the possible vacancy, which caught the eye of Perkins.
"It’s not every day that a Level 1 Supercar team knocks on your door and says, ‘How would you like to drive for us in two of the biggest races of the year’," Luke, son of two-times Australian Production Car Champion Kent Youlden, said.
“Especially when you’re still driving in a junior series and when the person offering is one of the all-time greats of Bathurst with six wins under his belt.”
"Now I’ve been given a shot, I’m planning to make the most of it. My racing career ambitions lie in Supercars and in my mind, there really isn’t a better team to begin that career with,” Youlden concluded.
At just 19 year’s of age, Murchison will become one of the youngest drivers to ever strap into a V8 Supercar, but the prospect doesn’t phase him.
Murchison has progressed from the Karting ranks to become Rookie of the Year in both of Australia’s premier open-wheeler categories.
"I feel pretty honoured to be offered such a great opportunity with such a respected team,” Murchison said. "And to be under the wing of Larry and Russell, who have such fantastic track records in endurance racing, is pretty mind-blowing."
"I’m just going to go out there, try to learn as much as possible, and give it my best shot without trying to be a hero – I know Larry wants the car to come home in one piece!”
“Hopefully I’ll prove to myself and others that I can cut the mustard at the top level and maybe open some doors for my future in Motorsport," he said.
"At the end of the day, we’re not trying to pretend that they’ll be winners; it’s more about giving them the opportunity to race at a higher level,” Larry Perkins summed-up.
“Hopefully they’ll put in a solid performance and bring the car home intact, that’s all we’re looking for so there’s no real pressure on them," he said.
Murchison and Youlden could be being groomed for a full-time Castrol seat in the not-to-distant future, despite Perkins so far rejecting any retirement allegations.
The team will conduct further tests before Youlden and Murchison make their Supercar debut at Queensland Raceway in two week’s time.
| |
