CARTOURINGV8

V8 Supercar Championship legend Mark Skaife will share a Team Vodafone Holden Commodore with Craig Lowndes in the season’s two endurance races.

The multiple champion will re-unite with former team-mate Lowndes for the races at Phillip Island and Bathurst, a race he has won on five occasions.

Skaife retired from full time racing at the end of the 2008 season after a glittering career in Australia’s premier motorsport category. He returned to drive in the enduros last season alongside Greg Murphy in a Sprint Gas Racing Holden Commodore, finishing ninth at Bathurst and 11th at Phillip Island.

“It is exciting to be pairing up with Mark again after 10 years,” said Lowndes. He has a lot to contribute in a driving sense and I know his feel for the car, his seat position and the way he likes the car setup is very similar to mine. His technical input and especially his mental approach will definitely suit our team.”

Lowndes and Skaife were team-mates from 1998 to 2000 and won the Queensland 500 endurance race together in 2000 sharing a factory-run Holden. Skaife admitted he is looking forward to renewing their successful partnership at reigning champions Team Vodafone.

“I’m really looking forward to joining TeamVodafone for the endurance events,” he said.

“They are the benchmark team in V8 Supercar racing and their change to Holden provides a great opportunity for me to be in an ultra-competitive outfit for Australia’s biggest races.

“The other great aspect is co-driving with my former team-mate Craig Lowndes. He has always been my strongest competitor and rival, so to ‘join forces’ is a very special opportunity. We’ll both be putting 100% effort into winning another Bathurst title.”

Meanwhile, Team Vodafone has also announced that former V8 Supercar Development Series driver, Steve Owen, will join reigning champion Jamie Whincup in the #1 Commodore.

“I raced go-karts and Formula Ford with Steve Owen and I have always rated his ability,” said Whincup. “He was my first choice and I am glad (Team Principal) Roland (Dane) did the deal.

“I now look forward to working with Steve to give him the opportunity to perform at his best. He plays an important role in my championship defence and our partnership should give him the opportunity to show his skills.”.

Owen has previous experience in the V8 Supercar enduros and spent three season racing in the full series with Team Autobarn Racing.

“We are very pleased to confirm our endurance line-up for 2010 and announce the re-formation of the famous Lowndes and Skaife partnership,” said Team Principal Dane.

“With a total of nine Bathurst wins between them, Craig and Mark will make a formidable team for the enduro races this season.

“Equally, Jamie and Steve will undoubtedly make a great team with speed and maturity being a hallmark of both these guys in recent seasons.”

Watch the V8 Supercars Championship, including the Bathurst 1000 LIVE, on Motors TV (Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545).


Andy Wilkinson