MARK WINTERBOTTOM RE-SIGNS FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS WITH FORD PERFORMANCE RACING

Top three V8 Supercar driver Mark Winterbottom will remain a FPR V8 Supercar driver for the next three years taking his successsful tenure at one of the country's best motor racing teams through to the end of the 2014 season after joining the Prodrive owned team in 2006.

Winterbottom was the pacesetter by the end of the 2011 season and despite breaking his leg in a water-skiing accident late last year, "Frosty" will be fit for the Championship’s opening round, the Clipsal 500, in early March.

"We enter the 2012 Championship with a stable technical package, a motivated and very fit crew and the knowledge that we now have a very fast car on all types of circuits," Winterbottom said.

"As a team we know that we have to score more points than last year and win more races than last year and we have worked very hard in the off-season to ensure we have the tools to do just that."

Winterbottom has finished in the top-five in the Championship every year since joining the factory Ford squad. The announcement of his contract extension ensures the team will have the same driver line-up heading into the Car of the Future era from next season with Orrcon Steel-backed team mate, Will Davison already signed until the end of 2013.

"It is really great to extend my stay at FPR as everyone strives to drive for the factory team so I am proud to have such a long association with the factory Ford squad," Winterbottom added.

"I’m a very loyal person and over the next three years I would like nothing more than to pay back the team for how hard we've all worked together with a Championship, or three."

FPR Team Principal, Tim Edwards, attended the launch and believes the key to success heading into the new season is consistency.

"We have a simple goal for 2012, to score more points and more wins, more often," Edwards said.

"We achieved that by the end of last year, but this is a new season and we need to maintain a high level of performance across all events. When we give Mark the car he needs, he has proven that he is a race winner, so we just need to ensure we give him that week in, week out," he added.

Winterbottom will take to the wheel of the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon at the season launch of the 2012 V8 Supercar Championship at Melbourne's Sandown Raceway on February 11, 2012

The event is FREE to the public and doubles as a compulsory test day for all 28 V8 Supercars, meaning plenty of V8 action for fans attending the day.

Image of 2012 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon and Mark Winterbottom

Image of 2012 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon

Visit Mark Winterbottom online

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VALE JASON RICHARDS - Dec 15, 2011

A great racer and an even better person - I will miss your constant grin and welcoming nature. Your skill was obvious, your attitude focussed and your love for family and friends an inspiration. Gone way too soon but I am glad that your suffering is over. Your wonderful spirit will live on through your children, giving Charlotte the strength for their new life ahead. In time, their grief will be replaced by memories of the many happy times you have given them along with everyone who knew you. I will always remember your laugh and your absolute determination. God Bless you and your family, rest in peace.

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December 4, 2011 - MARK WINTERBOTTOM DOMINATES FINAL V8 SUPERCAR RACE OF 2011

Mark Winterbottom took a dominant victory at the final V8 Supercar race of 2011, the Sydney Telstra 500 in the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, delighting the crowd and surviving another drama packed Sydney street race.

KEY POINTS FROM THE RACE:

- Will Davison set the pole time, with Mark Winterbottom qualifying third.

- Inclement weather blanketed the venue ahead of the race, however a dry line appeared – Winterbottom pitted for slick tyres on the warmup lap which proved decisive.

-Winterbottom controlled the pace at the front and once in the lead, never relinquished it.

- Winterbottom comfortably held off a potential challenge from Craig Lowndes with two laps to go – following a safety car period.

-Overall, the team was ecstatic to earn it’s second win of the year, securing Winterbottom a decisive third in the 2011 Championship.

Mark Winterbottom - #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon:

“I fired into the pits on the warmup lap to get slick tyres – but I was a little worried – I know about this place when it’s wet on slicks (dry weather tyres)!

“It was pretty hairy for the first couple of laps trying to assess the grip levels. I questioned the decision at about lap 10 when it started raining a little but the team told me to stay out.

“The boys did a fantastic job in calling the race all day and have really turned it around since mid-season. We were really struggling there for a while, but everyone’s stuck by us and we have got the results towards the end of the year.

“It really gives us some momentum into next year and we go in very confident of picking up where we left off come the Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide in March.”

RESULTS – RACE 28:

1 #5 Mark Winterbottom
2 #888 Craig Lowndes
3 #9 Shane van Gisbergen
4 #19 Jonathon Webb
5 #39 Russell Ingall
6 #34 Michael Caruso
7 #1 James Courtney
8 #88 Jamie Whincup
9 #8 Jason Bright
10 #47 Tim Slade
DNF #6 Will Davison

2011 CHAMPIONSHIP PLACINGS

1 #88 Jamie Whincup 3168
2 #888 Craig Lowndes 3133
3 #5 Mark Winterbottom 2710
4 #9 Shane van Gisbergen 2672
5 #2 Garth Tander 2574
6 #15 Rick Kelly 2358
7 #6 Will Davison 2345
8 #33 Lee Holdsworth 1920
9 #47 Tim Slade 1904
10 #1 James Courtney 1869

Mark Winterbottom's post race comments - Video Link

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November 21, 2011 - PETER HACKETT ROUNDS OFF DEBUT MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG GT3 SEASON WITH POLE POSITION AND SECOND PLACE

Erebus Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 driver Peter Hackett has made it five podium finishes from the five Australian GT Championship events he competed in with a strong second place at Melbourne’s Sandown Raceway over the weekend.

This major result was not gained easily at this final Australian GT Championship round of the 2011 season, with Hackett showing both his and the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3’s versatility in the most difficult of inclement conditions and being relegated to the rear of the field for Saturday’s race

This result has also given Australia’s Erebus Racing the honour of being the world’s only Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 customer team to register a 100% podium finishing record for the outstanding Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Sportscar. The Sandown event was the seventh and final round of the 2011 Australian GT Championship.

“It has been incredible really,”  Peter Hackett said at the conclusion of the event.

“Despite missing the first round with the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and having limited testing available during the season, Team Erebus worked hard to ensure that this remarkable racing car was on the pace at each of the four rounds that we competed in. I am proud of the efforts we have made to claim four podium finishes from the four events against some super-fast competition. We are looking forward to expanding the team to two cars next season and to replicate as well as improve on what we have achieved in our debut Australian GT Championship season,” he added.

After qualifying on Pole position, a team mis-communication saw Hackett drive through for a second warm up lap which relegated the Erebus Racing Mercedes Benz SLS AMG GT3 driver to the rear of the field for Saturday’s first Australian GT race. This ensured that Hackett had his work cut out for him on a wet Sandown circuit for the 30 minute race. In a superb performance, Hackett raced his way through the field from 16th to 2nd by the chequered flag, setting several sub-record lap times in the process, the best of which was only fractionally bettered by the race winner. Veteran racer Greg Crick drove to an unchallenged victory in his Dodge Viper with Hackett second, continuing the unbroken Australian GT Championship podium finishing record for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3. Klark Quinn rounded off the podium at third in his Mosler MT900.

Starting from the front row alongside the 8.0 Litre V10 engined Viper of Greg Crick for the second 30 minute Sandown Australian GT Championship race on Sunday, Hackett’s Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 maintained a close gap to Crick for the entire 30 minute race, keeping his rival honest throughout the race which was held in dry and warm conditions. Hackett finished the race 1.2 seconds behind Crick in a determined drive with Mosler driver Klark Quinn third.

/ends.

SANDOWN RESULTS SUMMARY

Prac 1 - 2nd  1:13.6462s
Prac 2 - 2nd  1:13.8033s
Qual - 1st 1:21.0057s (Wet)
Race 1 - 2nd  1:12.2441s (Best lap)
Race 2 - 2nd
Overall Result - 2nd / Championship Position - 5th

Erebus Racing Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 Image links from Sandown:

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November 20, 2011 - MARK WINTERBOTTOM SECOND AT SANDOWN IN THIRD CONSECUTIVE FPR DOUBLE PODIUM FINISH

The Ford Performance Racing team has ended the Norton 360 Sandown Challenge on a high with Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison finishing second and third respectively – and Winterbottom moving back into third in the Championship.

After appalling wet conditions during Saturday's race,  bright sunshine blanketed the outer Melbourne circuit for Sunday's qualifying and 200km race.

Winterbottom took the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon to second in qualifyin, missing the pole position by 0.09s
He managed a great start to follow Jamie Whincup into the opening turn, staying within a second of Whincup for the majority of the opening stanza. The rivals even pitted together and had a minor collision exiting pitlane, with FPR enjoying super-fast pit stops throughout the weekend.

Despite a late race Safety Car, Winterbottom was unable to get on racing terms with Whincup, however he withstood enormous pressure from his team-mate  Will Davison– who in turn was under enormous pressure from both Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander.

The Sandown result was Winterbottom's eighth podium finish of the season and moves him ahead of Shane van Gisbergen and back into third with in the Championship by 35 points with one round remaining.

Mark Winterbottom - #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon:
“We tried our best to get up there with Jamie – but we were suffering with a bit of understeer for much of the race, we need to tweak it out and I think we’ll be there. I thought Jamie may have got a drive through penalty for the collision in the pitlane – I had my foot planted with the pitlane speed limiter on trying to get through on him, but it wouldn’t go any faster! " He said.

“To get back up to third in the Championship is a great result, but there’d be no better result than to head to Sydney and get another win. We’ve definitely come a long way from where we were a few months ago. I would love to start next year the way that we finished this year,” Winterbottom added.

CHAMPIONSHIP POSITIONS – After Race 26 of 28:

1. Jamie Whincup 3033
2. Craig Lowndes 2845
3. Mark Winterbottom 2449
4.Shane van Gisbergen 2414
5. Garth Tander 2388
6. Will Davison 2345
7. Rick Kelly 2211
8. Lee Holdsworth 1857
9. Alex Davison 1781
10. Fabian Coulthard 1767

RESULTS – Race 26:
1. #88 Jamie Whincup
2. #5 Mark Winterbottom
3. #6 Will Davison
4. #888 Craig Lowndes
5. #2 Garth Tander
6. #9 Shane van Gisbergen
7. #47 Tim Slade
8. #33 Lee Holdsworth
9. #15 Rick Kelly
10. #49 Steve Owen

RESULTS – Race 25:
1. #15 Rick Kelly
2. #1 James Courtney
3. #7 Todd Kelly
4. #6 Will Davison
5. #9 Shane van Gisbergen
6. #888 Craig Lowndes
7. #5 Mark Winterbottom
8. #2 Garth Tander
9. #61 Fabian Coulthard
10. #49 Steve Owen

Visit Mark Winterbottom’s website – www.markwinterbottom.com

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Team Jayco Falcon V8 Supercar driver David Russell has finished the penultimate Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series round at fourth overall after a challenging weekend on the Melbourne circuit which was highlighted by two top five race finishes and punctuated by a race two accident.  

The Team Jayco Falcon driver started Saturday’s opening 15 lap race from the second row of the grid on a Sandown circuit that was mainly dry but greasy and wet in places from earlier heavy rain. The weather was a major change compared to Friday, some ten degrees cooler and heavily overcast, making it more difficult to generate the heat required for the slick tyres to provide maximum grip. The start saw Russell muscle his way into third chasing Jack Perkins, Chaz Mostert and Championship rival Andrew Thompson through the lap. An early accident saw a safety car caution period, but not before Thompson and Russell went wide on entry to the back straight. While Russell continued on ahead of Thompson, Mostert was able to get by both drivers. From that point Russell engaged in a race long battle chasing Mostert and leader Perkins with some three tenths of a second separating the three fierce racers. With three laps remaining Russell reported what he thought was a punctured tyre and erratic handling which was in fact one of his wheel nuts working itself loose. He had to slow down due to the deteriorating condition of the car and lost a position to the hard charging Nick Percat in the final turns due to this, finishing the race in fourth place.

Russell started the second Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series race on Sunday morning strongly from 7th on the grid for the reversed top ten start to race two in fine and warm conditions. On the approach to the esses on the first lap, Russell took evasive action through the turn three infield to avoid contact taking place ahead of him. On returning to the track his Team Jayco Falcon slid across the circuit and impacted David Wall’s Commodore which spun and caught a number of competitors in the process including Jack Perkins, Chaz Mostert and Nick Percat. Russell rejoined the race with significant side and rear damage, finishing the 15 lap race in 16th  place. The race was won by Triple 8 Commodore driver Andrew Thompson with Tim Blanchard second and Paul Morris third.

The third and final race of the Sandown round saw Russell set a strong pace in pursuit of race leaders Thompson, Mostert and Perkins from the start, making his way up to 4th by the mid stages of the 15 lap sprint. The race saw two safety car caution periods that hampered Russell’s opportunities to make his way into the top three. Excessive tyre wear during the race made the going tough with Russell losing a position to Falcon driver Scott McLaughlin in the closing stages, greeting the chequered flag at 5th, earning him enough points for 4th overall in the penultimate round of the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series.

David Russell remains second overall in the Championship standings with one round remaining at Sydney Olympic Park in a fortnight.

According to David Russell, “It was a tough weekend with our set-up problems in practice. We worked hard to improve the car and made some gains with each race. It was madness at the start of race two, I was being hit from pillar to post and when I took evasive action the car slid across the track and I couldn’t avoid the impact with David Wall. We still managed to salvage some points from that race and the Team Jayco boys did an awesome job to repair the car for the third and final race that netted another top five finish. While 4th was not the result that I wanted from this round, we have one more round to go at Homebush, I’m still second in the race for the title and anything can happen, so I’m positive of a strong end to the season.”

/ends.

Print Quality Image Links from Sandown follow:

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October 23, 2011 - MARK WINTERBOTTOM AND RICHARD LYONS WIN AT THE GOLD COAST

Mark Winterbottom continued his 'love affair' with the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit when he and Richard Lyons were victorious in the Armor All Gold Coast 600 aboard the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon today.

For Winterbottom,  victory was his first race win of 2011 but his second on the Gold Coast in three years, it was also a great reward for all of the hard work of the Ford Performance Racing team over the past few months.

After starting the race, Lyons - who was a late replacement for Will Power, (who was injured in the same multi-car IndyCar accident that claimed the life of Dan Wheldon) handed the driving duties over to Winterbottom in third place at the completion of his 34-lap stint. Winterbottom then showed some strong speed and street circuit skill across the remainder of the journey to chase down and pass championship leader Jamie Whincup in the closing stages.

The victory, accompanied by Saturday’s podium finish in the opening 102-lap race, when Frosty raced from the rear of the field to third, has given Winterbottom confidence to finish the year on a high. He’s also got his sights set on snaring third place in the championship after moving up to fourth in the standings after his Gold Coast effort.

The format of the Gold Coast 600 had the international drivers paired with the 28 V8 Supercar Series regulars for a pair 102-lap races held on Saturday and Sunday.

Winterbottom and Lyons were joined on the podium by Saturday race winners Jamie Whincup and Sebastien Bourdais along with Lee Holdsworth and Simon Pagenaud who finished third.

According to Mark Winterbottom - "Winning is fantastic, but doing it on soft tyres is that little bit sweeter. We haven't had the best run on that tyre compound and the guys have worked incredibly hard to improve the speed of the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon."

"To see the guys in the team from the podium and the smiles on their faces, that's a lot of hours in the workshop and they really deserved this win today. Richard did a great job, I just had to sit in the garage and he did what he does best. I was never in doubt, he was clean and the car came back straight and all I had to do was hop in the car.

"I had to be patient when I closed in on Jamie. I knew it would be hard to get past him but I had nothing to loose so I was going to go in regardless. That's sort of how I have to race the rest of the year. I just have to win races. Jamie may be at the front of the championship but he always races hard. It was always going to be a hard battle but we worked hard on improving the set-up of our car over the weekend and getting the win was important.

"Our main focus now is to win as many races as possible, the overall championship is out of reach but third isn't far away. There’s six races still to go and we’ll be out to win all six of them – we’ve got nothing to lose."

Richard Lyons - (IRE) International Driver #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon:

"I just can't believe how my week has turned around. It's all happened so fast," said Lyons.

"It's been a great opportunity with FPR, it's a team that I've always wanted to work with for so long.

"I’ve been a spectator at this event a few times, so it was a bit surreal being in the drivers parade and then to stand on top of the podium is amazing. This win is a real credit to everyone at FPR as I know they’ve had a hard time finding pace on the soft tyres this year."

ARMOR ALL GOLD COAST 600 - Surfers Paradise, Queensland

RESULTS: Sunday Race

1. #5 M.Winterbottom/R.Lyons – 102 laps
2. #88 J.Whincup/S.Bourdais
3. #33 L.Holdsworth/S.Pagenaud
4. #11 G.Murphy/O.Gavin
5. #15 R.Kelly/J.Bergmeister
6. #1 J.Courtney/D.Turner
7. #49 S.Owen/B.Said
8. #39 R.Ingall/J.Magnussen
9. #7 T.Kelly/R.Westbrook
10. #47 T.Slade/H.Castroneves
14. #6 W.Davison/M.Salo

RESULTS: Sunday Qualifying

1. #88 Jamie Whincup 1:10.9615
2. #2 Garth Tander 1:11.0039
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:11.1308
4. #6 Will Davison 1:11.2799
5. #888 Craig Lowndes 1:11.2923
6. #49 Steve Owen 1:11.3174
7. #11 Greg Murphy 1:11.3727
8. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:11.3868
9. #18 James Moffat 1:11.4355
10. #16 David Reynolds 1:11.4640

RESULTS: Saturday Race

1. #88 J.Whincup/S.Bourdais – 102 laps
2. #6 W.Davison/M.Salo
3. #5 M.Winterbottom/R.Lyons
4. #18 J.Moffat/J.Hand
5. #61 F.Coulthard/P.Long
6. #11 G.Murphy/O.Gavin
7. #15 R.Kelly/J.Bergmeister
8. #34 M.Caruso/A.Farfus Jr
9. #19 J.Webb/G.de Ferran
10. #33 L.Holdsworth/S.Pagenaud

2011 V8 SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES - Championship points after race 22 of 28

1. Jamie Whincup - 2517
2. Craig Lowndes - 2374
3. Shane Van Gisbergen - 2009
4. Mark Winterbottom – 1966
5. Garth Tander - 1956
6. Will Davison – 1847
7. Rick Kelly - 1845
8. Lee Holdsworth - 1590
9. Alex Davison - 1535
10. Jason Bright - 1519

Video wrap of the Armor All Gold Coast 600:

http://vimeo.com/30973771

Visit Mark Winterbottom's website

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October 9, 2011 - DAVID RUSSELL SECOND IN BATHURST FUJITSU SERIES ROUND & TOP TEN PACE IN THE BATHURST 1000

Team Jayco Falcon V8 Supercar driver David Russell continues his challenge for the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series title following two superb second place performances in both 14 lap races that made up the fifth round of the Championship at Bathurst's Mount Panorama circuit over the weekend.

Performing double racing duties at this iconic Australian motor racing event, Russell also partnered with Todd Kelly in the number 7 Jack Daniel's Racing Commodore in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. The duo started the race from 19th on the grid, with Russell driving from lap 26 to lap 88 and climbing from 20th position to as high as 10th before his stint came to an abrubt end due to a failed wheel hub on lap 88 out of 161. After a long stop in the pits for repair work, the duo soldiered on to finish the great race in 24th place.

Returning to Bathurst as the defending Bathurst Fujitsu Series pole-setter and champion, much was expected from the 29 year old at Australia's most famed motor racing event. The Team Jayco driver endured balance and suspension set-up issues in Thursday's first practice session and was placed 12th, but didn't get a chance to improve on that lap time due to inclement weather that forced the cancellation of second of the two scheduled sessions.

Despite the limited track time, Russell and the Team Jayco crew recovered well in Friday's qualifying session, setting the third fastest lap time after leading most of the session. Russell's best lap time was 3/10ths of a second behind polesetter Andrew Thompson and just over 1/10th of a second behind the Falcon of Jack Perkins. The first of two Bathurst Fujitsu Series races saw Russell power his way into second position from the start and hold that position in a race long pursuit of points leader Andrew Thompson. He finished the race in second place, 3.4 seconds behind the Triple 8 team driver, maintaining a solid 2.3 second gap to third placed Jack Perkins, Nick Percat and Paul Morris at the chequered flag.

The second and final Fujitsu Series race of the Bathurst round was held in cool and dry conditions on Saturday afternoon. Russell powered into the lead from the start, muscling his way in front of rival Thompson through turn one and on to Mountain Straight. The Team Jayco driver was on the limit trying to while some major panel rubbing was taking place behind him. On the second lap an accident involving Chaz Mostert and Tom Tweedie caused the first of two Safety Car caution periods of the 14 lap race. Russell retained his lead until the 7th lap when Thompson managed to get past after the second race re-start. From then on Russell maintained the chase of the Triple 8 Commodore driver, maintaining a gap of less than two seconds through to the end of the race, while fending off the advances of Jack Perkins. This result secured Russell second overall for the Bathurst round with Thompson taking the win and Perkins rounding off the Mount Panorama podium at 3rd. He remains second in the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series title chase with two rounds remaining.

"It was a very strong weekend for us, while we didn't get off to the best start we developed a very strong car both for qualifying and the races. We have once again ensured that the fight at the front of this series is between Triple 8 and Team Jayco and I am committed to fighting for the Championship all the way until the final laps of the final race at Homebush in December. We have a lot to be proud of this weekend and it was great to add another two Bathurst podium finishes to my career given the wet, damp, dry and close racing conditions we experienced over the weekend," David Russell stated.

"It was a great experience to drive with Todd Kelly at Bathurst and in both of the season of endurance races this year. The team's support was invaluable and I am proud of the contributions that I made in testing and while racing the number 7 Jack Daniel's Racing Commodore. While we didn't get the result that we wanted in the great race, we had strong pace and excellent fuel economy. We were positioned in the top ten and looking good until the wheel hub problem put an end to that. You have to take the good with the bad though, particularly here and Kelly Racing will be back to try and win it again next year. " He added.

Russell is in the midst of discussions with a number of main V8 Supercar Series teams seeking to secure a drive in the 2012 V8 Supercar Championship Series. He is hopeful of being able to make an announcement regarding this within the coming weeks. 

/ends.

For further information or interviews contact David Russell on 0407 512 062 or Paul Marinelli, 0417 558 655.

Print Quality Image Links from Bathurst follow:

Fujitsu Series images:

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Jack Daniel's Racing images:

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Headshot images:

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Kelly Racing Enduro drivers David Russell (right) and Owen Kelly.

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August 27, 2011 - DAVID RUSSELL IMPRESSED AND IMPRESSIVE IN HOCKENHEIM LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO TEST

Merely 72 hours after one of his strongest Fujitsu V8 Supercar team performances at Queensland Raceway last Sunday, Team Jayco Falcon V8 Supercar driver David Russell found himself on the other side of the world at Germany's famed Hockenheim circuit, at the wheel of a latest specification Reiter Engineering built Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 GT3 car.

Driving for the first time on this fast circuit that is the home to the German Formula One Grand Prix, the Australian V8 Supercar driver quickly acquitted himself to this state of the art GT sportscar, managing to better the best lap time set in the day in the same car by Team Lamborghini driver Peter Kox by some 2/10ths of a second.

Russell was in Germany at the request of his Bathurst 12 Hour enduro partner Roger Lago who has purchased this outstanding GT3 car ahead of next year's event. Russell partnered with Lago and Matt Kingsley to win Class B honours at this year's event at Mount Panorama, 18 laps ahead of their nearest rival, while also finishing 5th overall.

"What an incredible experience," said Russell of his test day in Germany.

"Once the guys from Reiter Engineering knew that I was right on the pace in the car, they were happy to make a number of set up changes that I wanted and that resulted in the fastest lap of the day, on worn tyres. I was pretty happy with that, first time out at the challenging Hockenheim circuit and in this impressive GT3 car. I can't wait until next year's Bathurst 12 Hour to show what Roger and I can do in it," He added.

"It has been a hectic week, I have slept in a bed for just one night since Monday! The rest was spent on aeroplanes and at Hockenheim, but it was well worth it. I also took the time to meet with some other racing contacts in Stuttgart and while it was a packed schedule it was certainly well worth it."  

Russell is focussed on earning a drive in the main V8 Supercar Championship next season by ensuring that he and his Team Jayco Falcon are in top shape at the next Fujitsu Series round at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, where he took the Mount Panorama trifecta of pole position and both race wins last season.

Before that event, Russell will be taking part in his first main V8 Supercar race of the year with Jack Daniel's Racing, as endurance race co-driver with Todd Kelly in the L&H 500 at Victoria's Phillip Island from September 16-18. Russell will be performing double duties at Bathurst, where he will once again pair up with the 2005 Bathurst Champion in the Jack Daniel's Commodore.

"After the tests that I have had with Jack Daniel's Racing I can't wait to get behind the wheel with Todd at the Island. Kelly Racing has shown strong pace this year across all four of their cars and after finishing 6th last year in this race, my goal and that of the entire crew at Kelly Racing is to contribute towards a major result this year," He said.

Russell is currently placed second in the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series with three rounds remianing at Bathurst, Sandown and Homebush (Sydney Olympic Park).

/ends.

For further information or interviews contact David Russell on 0407 512 062 or Paul Marinelli, 0417 558 655.

Print Quality Image Links from David Russell's Lamborghini Gallardo LP600 GT3 Test at Hockeheim, Germany follow:

Action images: (First image includes Team Lambo driver Peter Kox and David Russell)

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Headshot images:

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July 15, 2011 -THE AUSTRALIAN AUTO SPORT ALLIANCE - A SUCCESS STORY

Formed seven years ago, the Australian Auto Sport Alliance (AASA) is now directly involved with more than 1,500 Australian motor racing events and over 20,000 AASA licence holders.

Born from the necessity for racing circuits, clubs and organisers to find more cost effective and workable insurance policies, the not for profit and low overhead AASA structure has expanded significantly. The AASA has taken its fresh approach to the participation, management and staging and promotion of Australian motorsport to thousands of events, ensuring total value for circuits, clubs and event organisers.

The AASA provides the insurance sanctioning and the event competition rules while the organisations and clubs organise and run the events. Lloyds of London syndicate associates Marketform (Syndicate 2468) in the UK and QBE Mercantile Mutual in Australia provide the AASA’s insurance coverage that car clubs, organisations, teams, competitors and officials can access.

All AASA sanctioned activities are covered by public and products liability insurance up to $25 million for any one occurrence, along with professional indemnity and personal accident insurance being available.

Race meetings, tarmac rallies, test and tune days, drifting, testing, car club activities, lap dash events, motorkhanas, khanacross, rallies, touring road events, corporate drive days, ride days and media launches are just some of the events the AASA provides quality insurance cover for.

Car clubs are not required to be affiliated with any organisation, making them free to run where and when they like thanks to the AASA. This is particularly relevant, as more than 60% of car clubs are not affiliated with any specific organisation.

The AASA has clearly proven its worth as a cost effective service organisation that is dedicated to th future development of Australian motorsport without the uneccessary red tape and costly delays.

It’s not just small clubs and events that are turning to or have used the AASA. The AASA successfully sanctioned and worked with Octagon Events to take Targa Tasmania to new heights of entry levels and international participation over four events. The AASA also worked tirelessly to help establish new events including Targa High Country, Targa Classic and Targa Wrest Point.

The reach of the AASA is not limited solely to car racing with this value focussed independent sanctioning authority also overseeing the Australian Formula 3 Superbike Championship since the start of last season.

The AASA also has a number of competition licence options for drivers including a Club Racing Licence for club events and a National Racing Licence for race events along with a National Rally Licence, Navigator Licence and Off Road Licences.

Winton Motor Raceway Chief Executive Officer, Mick Ronke, is also the AASA President while Heather Wallace and Matthew Ronke are co-directors.

“The AASA is designed as a one-stop shop for our racing circuits so that motorsport enthusiasts can hire the track and get the insurance and the safety plans to be able to run a safe motorsport event,” Mr Ronke said.

Along with Winton Motor Raceway, Queensland Raceway, Wakefield Park, Lakeside and Calder Park are all AASA sanctioned race circuits while AASA activities are conducted at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Eastern Creek Raceway, Mallala Motorsport Park, Barbagallo Raceway and Symmons Plains Raceway.

The AASA exists to introduce substantial membership benefits to all members and to provide an efficient and fair deal to all motorsport stakeholders without sacrificing safety.

“The AASA has been put together by a group of people that know and understand motorsport. The focus is on removing the red tape and stoppages out of the system to enable people to take total control of their own events,” Mr Ronke said.

“We make it more enjoyable for the organisers to run their event, so they can pat each other on the back afterwards and say ‘that was great, let’s do it again’”.

“The AASA is not there as a money making exercise, it exists to provide a service to the motorsport participants and organisers so they can be more easily involved in motorsport and better yet, enjoy their involvement,” Mr Ronke added.

The establishment and subsequent success of the AASA is an Australian sporting success story that has a long and bright future ahead of it.

/ends.

For more information contact the AASA on 03 5766 4235 or visit www.aasa.com.au

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DAVID RUSSELL RESULTS / CAREER SUMMARY - Updated December 2011

FUJITSU V8 SUPERCAR SERIES

2011 - Matthew White Motorsport (Ford) Team Jayco Falcon

R1 - Clipsal 500 Adelaide - Prac 2nd & 4th / Qual - 3rd / R1 - 8th (accident) / R2 - 13th (brought into pits due to loose front splitter from 2nd position) Set fastest lap time of both races. Chp Position: 11th.

R2 - Trading Post Perth Challenge - Prac 8th & 8th / Qual - 5th / R1 - 4th / R2 - 2nd / Overall Result - 2nd / Chp Position - 4th.

R3 - Sucrogen Townsville 400 – Prac: 2nd & 8th  / Qual - 6th  / R1 -2nd / R2 - 4th / R3 - 2nd / Overall Result – 2nd / Championship position – 3rd

R4 - Coates Hire Ipswich 300 - Prac 9th & 15th  / Qual - 8th / R1 -5th / R2 – 3rd /  R3 – 2nd / Overall Result – 4th / Championship position – 2nd

R5 - Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 - Prac 12th / Qual - 3rd / R1 - 2nd / R2 - 2nd / Championship Position - 2nd

R6 - Norton 360 Challenge, Sandown Raceway - Prac 1 - 10th  / Prac 2 - 10th / Qual - 3rd  / Race 1 - 4th / Race 2 - 16th / Race 3 - 5th  / Overall Result: 4th / Championship Position - 2nd

R7 - Telstra 500 - Sydney Olympic Park - Prac 1 - 6th / Prac 2 - 3rd / Qual - 5th / R1 - 4th / R2 - 8th / Overall Result - 5th / Championship Position - 3rd.

2010 Matthew White Motorsport (Ford) Team Jayco Falcon - 5th in Championship with four race wins and three podium finishes from seven events. Highlight - Pole position and both race victories at Bathurst 1000 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series sprint races, podiums at Clipsal 500 Adelaide, Townsville and Queensland Raceway.

MAIN V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP - 2011

David Russell was selected by Kelly Racing as co-driver to 2005 Bathurst 1000 Champion Todd Kelly in the Jack Daniel's Racing Number 7 Commodore.

The pair finished 14th at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island and 24th at Bathurst. David had raced from 19th on the grid to 10th by lap 88 when a wheel hub problem forced him into the pits for a long repair stop. This was David's third V8 Supercar main series Bathurst 1000 co-drive of his career.

2010:

David Russell was selected to drive with leading Ford V8 Supercar Championship Series team Dick Johnson Racing for the 2010 season of endurance events at Phillip Island (L&H 500) and Bathurst (Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000).

Russell partnered DJR main series driver Jonathon Webb in the Mother Energy Drinks FG Falcon at these events, finishing 6th at Phillip Island and 19th at the Bathurst 1000.

2003:

Made Bathurst 1000 debut with Jose Fernandez in a privately entered AU Falcon.

V8 SUPERCAR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2009 Howard Racing (Ford)
Privateers Cup Champion
3rd in Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship
Winner of Round 1 - Clipsal 500 Adelaide and Round 4 - Sandown
Second at Round 2 - Winton and Round 5 - Queesland Raceway
Third at Round 6 - Bathurst 1000
Fifth at Round 3 - Townsville.

CARRERA CUP / PRODUCTION CAR / V8 SUPERCAR HIGHLIGHTS

2011 5th Outright and Class B winner of the Bathurst 12 Hour Endurance Race driving a Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car with Roger Lago and Matt Kingsley. Also fastest Class B qualifiers at 7th overall. Provides David with class victories in all three Bathurst endurance event formats; 3 hour, 24 Hour and 12 Hour events during his career.

2008 Winner of the Queensland 500 Sportscar race event in a Ford AU V8 Supercar
3rd in the Australian Carrera Cup Championship - one Pole position, four race victories and six podium finishes in a Porsche 997 Cup Car
3rd in Class and 4th Outright in the Dubai 24 Hour race driving a Porsche 997 RSR

2007 Australian Carrera Cup Championship Hard Charger Award recipient
First Carrera Cup victory at Clipsal 500 Adelaide and five podium finishes gained during the season with Sherrin Motorsport in a Porsche 997 Cup Car
1st in Class at Bathurst 12 Hour Production Car race with Sherrin Motorsport

2006 Debut in Australian Carrera Cup Championship with Sherrin Motorsport
Highest placed Rookie with top five Championship result (5th )
Five podium finishes gained during debut season

2004 Class Champion - Australian Production Car Championship driving for the Proton factory team (Proton Satria)
Runner Up in Australian Production Car Championship (outright) driving for the Proton factory team (Proton Satria)

2003 Winner of the Chance of a Lifetime motor racing competition and securing a fully funded V8 Supercar Development Series drive in a Mo-Pro Australia AU Falcon V8 Supercar
Nominated for V8 Supercar Rookie of the Year Award (which was won that year by Mark Winterbottom)
Selected to partner Jose Fernandes in his Fujitsu Racing AU Falcon at the 2003 Bathurst 1000 resulting in main series V8 Supercar debut
Winner of Bathurst Two Hour Showroom Showdown Production Car race (Proton Satria)
Finished 1st in Class in the Bathurst 24 Hour Production Car endurance event, co-driving a VX Commodore with Warren Luff and Ian Luff
Class Champion in the Australian Production Car Championship (Proton Satria)

2002 1st in class and 10th outright in the Bathurst 24 Hour Production Car endurance event, driving a VX Commodore with Scott Loadsman, Warren Luff and Ray Lintott.

2001 1st in class in Bathurst Two Hour Showroom Showdown Production Car race driving the factory team entered Proton Satria
NSW Speedway V8 Modified Dirt Champion - At 18 years of age, the youngest ever to claim this title.

1999 1st in class - Queensland Sports Sedan Series

1998 1st Bathurst Hill Climb Series

1997 Youngest ever Queensland Hill Climb Series Champion at 15 years of age

1993 - 1995 Junior Karting Championship competition, racing to several local Championship event victories and podiums

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Fujitsu Series V8 Supercar driver David Russell in action

David Russell on his way to 5th Outright with Roger Lago and Matt Kingsley at the 2011 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour endurance race

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David Russell 2011

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In-car Image - Perth 2011

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MARK WINTERBOTTOM V8 SUPERCAR RESULTS SUMMARY FROM 2006 - 2011

At the completion of Races 27 & 28 ( Sydney / December 2011):

Race Wins: 17

2006 Sandown 500

2006 Phillip Island Race 3

2007 Bahrain Races 1 & 2

2008 Eastern Creek Race 3

2008 Barbagallo Races 1, 2 & 3

2008 Hidden Valley Race 1

2008 Queensland Raceway Races 2 & 3

2009 Surfers Paradise Race R20

2010 Hidden Valley Race 13

2010 Townsville 400 Race 16

2010 Symmons Plains Race 22

2011 Gold Coast 600 Race 22

2011 Homebush Race 28

Top 3 Race Results: 75 from 184 individual races
Top 5 Race Results: 97 from 184 individual races
Top 10 Race Results: 145 from 184 individual races

Career Podium Results: 48 from 82 Events

(Podiums are Top 3 in a round from 2006-2009, Top 3 in a race in 2009/2010/2011)

Career Pole Positions: 21

2007 - Pukekohe, Sandown, Bathurst, Bahrain (4) 2008 - Barbagallo, Hidden Valley, Winton (3)
2009 - Hamilton, Winton, Queensland Raceway, Phillip Island, Surfers Paradise (5)
2010 - Abu Dhabi, Hidden Valley, Bathurst, Surfers Paradise, Symmons Plains (5)

2011 - Winton, Darwin (both races), Townsville (4)

Front Row Qualifying (first or second / front rows):44 from 111 qualifying sessions

Top 3 Qualifying: 57 from 111 qualifying sessions
Top 4 Qualifying: (front 2 rows): 64 from 111 qualifying sessions
Top 5 Qualifying: 71 from 111 qualifying sessions
Top 10 Qualifying: 93 from 111 qualifying sessions

Championship Results:

2006 - 3rd, 2007 - 5th, 2008 - 2nd, 2009 - 5th, 2010 - 3rd, 2011 - 3rd

MARK WINTERBOTTOM BATHURST 1000 CAREER FACTS:

Mark has competed in nine Bathurst 1000 kilometre V8 Supercar endurance races at the Mount Panorama circuit to date.

2003 - (with Mark Noske, SBR) - Qualified 18th, DNF (engine)

2004 - (with Jason Bargwanna, LMS) - Bargwanna qualified 10th, finished 5th

2005 - (with Jason Bargwanna, LMS) - Bargwanna qualified 17th, DNF (accident - Bargwanna)

2006 - (with Jason Bright, FPR) - Bright qualified 2nd, DNF (engine)

2007 - (with Steven Richards, FPR) - Qualified 1st, finished 10th

2008 - (with Steven Richards, FPR) - Qualified 2nd, finished 4th.

2009 - (with Steven Richards, FPR) - Qualified 3rd, DNF (fire)

2010 - (with Luke Youlden, FPR) - Qualified 1st, finished 9th.

2011 - (with Steven Richards, FPR) - Qualified 10th, finished 4th.

Mark's 2007 Pole position was his first at Bathurst, he has finished the Bathurst 1000 in the top five on three occasions, in 2004, 2008 and 2011. Three Bathurst 1000 front row starts were gained with Mark behind the wheel in 2007, 2008 and 2010. The 2011 event was the fourth in which Mark was paired with 1998 /1999 Bathurst winner Steven Richards.

Print quality image links:

Mark Winterbottom and the 2011 Orrcon Steel FG FPR Falcon V8 Supercar at Abu Dhabi

Mark Winterbottom and the 2011 Orrcon Steel FG FPR Falcon V8 Supercar at Abu Dhabi

Mark Winterbottom and the 2011 Orrcon Steel FG FPR Falcon V8 Supercar at Abu Dhabi

Mark Winterbottom 2011 headshot image 1

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Mark Winterbottom 2011 headshot image 3

Visit - www.markwinterbottom.com or www.fpr.com.au

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