Skaife,
Kelly support reverse-grid announcement
Press Release
Holden Racing Team drivers Todd Kelly and Mark Skaife have shrugged off a difficult weekend in the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series to throw their support behind today’s surprise announcement of reverse grid races in 2006.
Among a raft of changes to the points structure and racing format for 2006, numerous rounds will include a genuine reverse-grid race as the second of three sprint races.
The HRT pair, who have finished fourth and fifth respectively at the conclusion of the championship this weekend at Phillip Island, each said the concept would inject more competitiveness into the category in 2006.
“From an overall perspective it’s good for the game, and from a driver’s perspective I think the best guys will still win,” said Skaife, who is a member of the TEGA (Touring Car Entrants’ Group) board which approved the changes.
“We certainly haven’t taken the sport out of the sport, and I think it’s going to be absolutely fine.”
Kelly agreed. “Next year’s championship is going to be really good for us with the reverse-grid races, because that’s going to really suit our driving and our cars,” he said.
“There’s only a handful of guys in this series who have the car and the ability to drive through the field when they have to. We’ve always had a reasonable run at that, and when we find ourselves at the back of the grid for whatever reason, we seem to come through ok so that’s going to be a solid asset to have next year.”
Kelly said he had worked hard today to maintain his championship position after a difficult first race yesterday, and second race this morning.
“It wasn’t looking real good after the first race today, there was a very good chance I was going to go from fourth to sixth in the championship,” Kelly said.
“There was a little bit of pressure in that last race and we didn’t make any mistakes and the car was quite good. It was good to go out there and survive.
“We’ve ended up the first Holden in the championship, but at the end of the day it’s not first, and that’s what we’re paid to do.
“We left our run a bit late and had too many bad weekends so we’ll do a bit of work in the off-season and come out stronger next year.
Skaife was succinct in his summation. “It was just a shocking weekend,” he said.