Newman, Baird, Jones and Ellery - wildcards for AGP
20/2/2000 18:15 (Jason Whittaker) - Controversial Football commentator-turned-motor racing driver, Sam Newman has received a wildcard from Australian Grand Prix organisers to compete in the three V8 Supercar support events at Albert Park next month.
Newman, star of Channel 9's "The Footy Show," will make his debut behind the wheel of a V8 Supercar at the event, competing alongside fellow wildcarders Steven Ellery, race-winner at Phillip Island, Craig Baird, and V8 newcomer, Brad Jones.
Newman, a 300-gamer for AFL club Geelong, will campaign a Holden VT Commodore, backed by the sponsor of the AGP V8 Supercar Showdown, Hot Wheels. The car will be prepared by Garry Dumbrell's Gibson Motorsport garage.
Newman, whose foray into motorsport began just a few years ago, described the experience of driving a V8, "like what I imagine taking off in a space shuttle would be like."
"It's a great privilege to get a wildcard entry to drive against the best drivers in Australia at the country's biggest annual international sporting event," Newman said. "And it will keep me off the street for a few days. As always, I'll try my best to stay out of trouble."
Newman's limited motor racing experience has come behind the wheel of a GT Production Car machine, where he has competed in the Century Batteries GTP Championship over the past few seasons.
Last year, driving a Holden Vectra in Class D of the Championship, Newman was awarded the Most Improved Driver award.
Australian Grand Prix Corporation Chief Executive, John Harnden said the introduction of wildcards added a new dimension to this year's Hot Wheels V8 Supercar Showdown at the Grand Prix.
"The Australian Grand Prix Corporation and AVESCO agreed on a ceiling of 30 cars for this year's Hot Wheels V8 Supercar Showdown at the Grand Prix, made up of the leading 26 in last year's Shell Championship Series and the four wildcards," Mr Harnden said.
"We have nominated two drivers, Sam Newman and Craig Baird, and AVESCO two, Brad Jones and Steve Ellery."
"It's a nice balance, with a high-profile rookie determined to make his way in motor racing and three very well-performed professionals."
"V8 Supercars are Australia's premier motor sport category and the Hot Wheels V8 Supercar Showdown is certainly the major support event to Formula One at the QANTAS Australian Grand Prix."
"It's a win-win-win situation, for us as the organiser and promoter of the Grand Prix, for the competitors, and most importantly for the fans - who love to see those Aussie V8s."
Newman will test extensively with the Gibson Motorsport Team before making his debut V8 drive on the Friday of the Australian Grand Prix event.
The Hot Wheels V8 Supercar Showdown will comprise three sprint events; a ten-lap race on Friday, a twelve-lapper on Saturday, and a six-lap sprint as the final event before the F1 race on Sunday afternoon.
The Australian Grand Prix commences at Melbourne's Albert Park circuit on March the 9th, concluding Sunday March 12.
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