Rick Kelly

Rick Kelly won the V8 Supercars title at the age of 23 and it was looking as if he was on his way to a spectacular career. But Jamie Whincup came on to the scene and slowed him down but the Holden ace is still among the fastest and top talents down under.

Following his start in karts, Rick followed the example of older brother Todd, moving on to cars, resulting in the 2001 Australian Formula Ford title, which is in general, is the path most drivers have taken to arrive in the V8 Supercars. In this same 2001, Rick Kelly was signed by Kmart Racing for the endurance races. After taking the rookie of the year award the following season, his big break came in 2003.

For 2003, he teamed with Greg Murphy to form an incredible endurance duo. Murphy was at the height of his form and scored a memorable pole at Bathurst. The experience of the veteran combined with the speed of the youngster resulted in two successive wins at Mount Panorama.

Rick Kelly was now ready to be a front-runner. In 2005, he teamed with Garth Tander at HSV, which was the new moniker for Kmart Racing. While he didn’t visit the top step of the podium he finished the season eighth in the championship. Everything clicked for 2006 when he edged out Craig Lowndes for the title and that was in spite of just win, whereas Lowndes notched up five. This crown was won through remarkable consistency…it is a shame that his title was won through controversial circumstances at the season finale at Phillip Island.

Rick Kelly’s career has gone off the boil since but his 8th place finish in 2010 reflects his reputation as a solid driver, but the question can be asked that the fact he races for a family run team (HSV became Kelly Racing in 2009) hasn’t dampened his ambitions. If in fact he still has ambitions, because at times it seems he goes into cruise control mode that reflects a somewhat dull and discreet personality.