Todd Kelly by Phillip Whelan

Todd's racing career started on motor bikes, progressing to karting at 8 years old! By 12 years of age he had become Victorian and Australian Kart Champion.

At age 16, Kelly began to race Formula Fords, impressing HRT in his drive at the 1996 Australian Grand Prix. Despite being under-funded Todd finished second in the 1998 Championship and was rookie of the year.

HRT recognising his talent and made him part of the Young Lions program in 1997. In 1999 Todd had hoped to compete in at least half of the SATCC. However a blow out at Eastern Creek in round one destroyed the HYL VS Commodore, and he was unable to race again until the endurance events later in the season. Teaming with Mark Noske at the Queensland 500 in a VS Commodore the pair were running in the top 10 until an engine problem sidelined them with only 4 laps to go. At November's FAI 1000 at Bathurst the pair raced an HRT-prepared VT model and finished in 6th place.

During 2001 Todd Kelly gained a last minute drive with the newly formed K-Mart Racing Team formed under the TWR-Australia banner.

Todd Kelly is one of the youngest winners in the history of the Australian Touring Car Championship. He further demonstrated his incredible natural ability to set-up and drive a V8 Supercar by adding to his impressive resume podium finishes in the season's two biggest races, the Queensland 500 and Bathurst 1000. He also took his first ever round win in extremely difficult conditions at the V8 Ultimate Sandown - a sixth place finish in the series signalling Kelly's arrival in Australian motor racing's 'big league'.

Career Highlights

2004

- 7th place V8 Supercar Series
- First place Hidden Valley round.

2003

- 9th place V8 Supercar Series
- First place Bathurst 24 Hour
- 8th place V8 Supercar Bathurst 1000
- First place Sandown 500 with Mark Skaife
- Pole Position at Gold Coast Street circuit round
- Third place Queensland and Pukekohe Rounds

2002

- Second place Phillip Isalnd Round
- Second place Canberra 400 Round
- Second place Winton Round
- Second place New Zealand V8 International
- Fifth place V8 Supercar Series

2001

- First place Sandown V8 Ultimate Round
- Third place VIP Pet Foods Queensland 500
- Third place V8 Supercar 1000 at Bathurst
- 6th V8 Supercar Series

2000

- Fifth place Bathurst 1000 Classic
- 6th Canberra 400 Round
- 17th place Australian Touring Car Championship

1999

- 6th place Bathurst 1000 Classic
- 8th place Australian Drivers Championship

1998

- Second place Australian Drivers Championship

1997

- Third place Australian Formula Ford Championship

1996

- 12th place Australian Formula Ford Championship

JAN05

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