V8 SuperCars – Driver Changes for 2007

This is my first of what should be many posts on the 2007 Australian V8 SuperCar series.

In this post I will take a quick look at the driver changes that have taken place over the 2006/2007 summer period or the ’silly season’

For starters, probably the biggest news was Steven Richard’s move to Ford Performance Racing. This came about with Jason Bright’s move to his own team Britek Racing. This should be a good move for both FPR and Richo. Like his dad he is a very handy driver and he has a good racing brain, so let’s hope the combination works. It is good to see the Ford camp pick up such an experienced and talented racer, to join Craig Lowndes (albeit in a different team).

Just on that, if Lowndes has stayed with FPR, what a combination that would be…Lowndes and Richards…mmm.

As noted above Jason Bright left FPR. It was no secret, but it will be interesting to see how this team performs. Bright has been able to convince sponsor CATERPILLAR to follow him to his new and somewhat unproven team. Gutsy move by Bright, but he should be able to thrive.

Now we move into the somewhat dubious moves that have occurred…

Once again Larry Perkins seems to be out to prove everyone wrong and do things his own way. His two drivers are rookies and one is his son Jack. He and Shane Price, the other driver, where right at the pointy end of the V8 development series last year, however to go into the full series at this stage will be too overwhelming. My prediction is that by mid year, one of them will get the axe.

Nepotism seems to be a repeating theme with Team BOC dumping stalwart John Bowe, for team co-owner Kim Jones’ son Andrew. Incidentally his uncle Brad is also a team co-owner and the other driver. Being a Ford team I wish them well, but wouldn’t expect top ten finishes, from either driver (although Brad probably deserves to).

This brings me nicely to John Bowe. It looks as though he got a lifeline from Paul Cruickshank Racing. This team is like Minardi in F1. In the past it has employed relatively low profile or part time drivers. Over those years stalwarts like John Bowe and Larry Perkins have continually and openly commented on the lack of value these teams and drivers bring to the championship. More to the point they see them as slowing the rest down and accidents waiting to happen. So John will get a taste of what it is like being a minnow. Good luck John, but don’t hold your breath. It’s a shame because he has been a great driver over the years, but probably needed to retire two years ago.

Also Craig Lowndes and 888 Racing have just announced a new 3 year deal with Vodafone. The paint work on the car looks fantastic (although I am biased). The team has had a bit of trouble with sponsor Betta Electrical going belly up late last year. With this new multi-year big $$$ deal it should only help the team in its goal of winning the championship in 2007.

So as usual I will make some bold predictions for the 2007 series…here goes my top 5….

Champion – Craig Lowndes
Runner up – Todd Kelly
Third – Steven Richards
Fourth – Greg Murphy
Fifth – Rick Kelly

Bring on 2007 – the first race is at Adelaide (no practice round at the Melbourne F1 GP). I wll post more as information comes to hand

Cheers

Dave