Shannons Supercar Showdown - A 7Mate Production

**GTRMagic** · 2 May 2011, 09:07 (Ref:2872781)

Back in 1990, Allan Grice, along with Peter Jackson ciggie money, put together a program for young Australian drivers to test Group E-spec Commodores, with a view to going onto running a Wayne Park-built VL at Bathurst that year.

The plan had driving instruction, testing and all sorts of driving development incorporated in handing over the keys to the two winning drivers. Which Rick Bates (brother of multi ARC winner Neal) and Peter Gazzard (Mt Gambier car dealer) promptly won. And debuted, did ok in the race, but DNF'd as the car didnt appreciate the opportunity it was affording the then young fellas..

It seems this program is back, according to MeN. Free of ciggie cash, replaced by KFC & Pepsi. With a 2011 race winning VE from Kelly Racing. For one seat. For a pilot to ride along with Mr Denyer in both the Phillip Island and Bathurst enduros using a Wildcard.

Seems there are pilots from around the world interested in the concept, according to MeN... and some from Australia too.. for it all to be televised on one of the #7 channels in documentary form. Presumably keeping the VE isnt part of the prize...

I wonder if Danny Green is interested

PVDA · 2 May 2011, 09:15 (Ref:2872785)

I can remember them running at a 6 hour (or was it a 24 hour) Relay at Winton to help get racing miles under thier belts at the time.

Malfunction Junction · 2 May 2011, 09:17 (Ref:2872786)

Whoever wins will need to be either;

a) an epic shortarse, or

b) as thin as a piece of paper to leave the seat while a seat filler the size of a beanbag is installed for the driver of "stature" to have his turn.

Chatters · 2 May 2011, 09:28 (Ref:2872793)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malfunction Junction

Whoever wins will need to be either;

a) an epic shortarse, or

b) as thin as a piece of paper to leave the seat while a seat filler the size of a beanbag is installed for the driver of "stature" to have his turn.

You rang? Where do I sign up?

Wrighty05 · 3 May 2011, 00:21 (Ref:2873257)

What's the bet the winner will be quicker than Denyer anyway.

rich07 · 3 May 2011, 03:10 (Ref:2873272)

Wait-is this for next year, or next? Not much time if 2011..

DAVID PATERSON · 3 May 2011, 08:37 (Ref:2873349)

PJs didn't fund the entire programme, contestants had to bring a large wad of cash to the party.

That's what kept me out of it, i was a 19 year old bank teller without two bob to rub together.

PVDA · 4 May 2011, 02:46 (Ref:2873820)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAVID PATERSON

That's what kept me out of it, i was a 19 year old bank teller without two bob to rub together.

At least two bob you owned anyway

kramer · 4 May 2011, 10:23 (Ref:2873931)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PVDA

At least two bob you owned anyway

Banks watch their money very carefully.

Your entry fee was $1000 for which you got a few laps of Winton in a standard road car. Lots of people entered multiple times to get their best chance. I don't know if Rick and Pete did that.

Let's see, in 1990, $1000 was about two weeks' pay - call it $3000 in today's money.

Kramer

MattV · 4 May 2011, 12:12 (Ref:2873961)

I was only 11 at the time, but wasn't there a blow up because either Bates or Gazzard had some professional experience and it was supposed to be for 'amateurs'?

**GTRMagic** · 21 Jun 2011, 06:55 (Ref:2902699)

And with the story that Mr Murphy is making his way to Sydney for teev commitments but cant dodge the Chilean ash cloud...

... is this the new Pepsi Max car being unveiled? Maybe an announcement of a contract extension?

Pro Racer · 21 Jun 2011, 07:54 (Ref:2902720)

K.R to bring in new manufactuer fir CotF?????

announcement of the reality TV show for the Bathurst wildcard entry with Grant Denyer which was rumoured in eNews a couple weeks back?????

**GTRMagic** · 21 Jun 2011, 12:08 (Ref:2902832)

Seems to be about one driver in particular... one not on anyone's radar for the enduros in a non-wildcard entry... but...

Nobody knows chicken like KFC...

JC Ohope · 21 Jun 2011, 21:02 (Ref:2903127)

The Kelly's let the cat out of the bag

Just a half an hour early

mtpanorama · 21 Jun 2011, 22:39 (Ref:2903191)

So the Kelly's are looking for a driver and a grid girl with that list of names.

**GTRMagic** · 21 Jun 2011, 22:49 (Ref:2903193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtpanorama

So the Kelly's are looking for a driver and a grid girl with that list of names.

I... dont quite know what to say. The story in MeN was that this was a 'serious' attempt at finding a new pilot, given the time constraints. I would like to be proven wrong, but I am not sure the reality has lived up to the hype.

Ignore all that for a minute...

Kelly Racing to Renault

Razor · 21 Jun 2011, 22:49 (Ref:2903194)

Interesting to see that Kelly Racing is running a 5th car. Doesn't the rules state that the maximum amount of cars that a team can run at a event is only four?

Also, it's interesting to see Mad Dog running in a Commodore for the enduros. I wonder what he and Ford Aus are thinking after many years of investment with one another.

**GTRMagic** · 21 Jun 2011, 23:19 (Ref:2903208)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Razor

Interesting to see that Kelly Racing is running a 5th car. Doesn't the rules state that the maximum amount of cars that a team can run at a event is only four?

Under one entrant's licence you are right, but the team already has two, for KR & PE..

I am interesting in knowing how the squad managed to get a 'Bathurst only' wildcard. Having spoken to a number of Fujitsu guys over the last few years, they would have been far happier to do 'just Bathurst' so as to avoid the cost of Phillip Island or Sandown...

Axeman444 · 21 Jun 2011, 23:27 (Ref:2903211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

I am interesting in knowing how the squad managed to get a 'Bathurst only' wildcard. Having spoken to a number of Fujitsu guys over the last few years, they would have been far happier to do 'just Bathurst' so as to avoid the cost of Phillip Island or Sandown...

i'm sure the publicity machine in Nerang would have quickly given the dispensation...

**GTRMagic** · 22 Jun 2011, 00:04 (Ref:2903220)

Bathurst Shore

woodduck97 · 22 Jun 2011, 05:00 (Ref:2903255)

what a joke... another well fabricated V8 Supercar publicity stunt. The choice of "upcoming talent" is curious... not a national car racing championship between them...

If this was a serious "competition" perhaps they could have actually selected drivers with some runs on the board at lower national levels.

I wish Mr Sera all the best at Bathurst

**GTRMagic** · 22 Jun 2011, 08:21 (Ref:2903313)

Sunrise Launch Here

**GTRMagic** · 22 Jun 2011, 08:27 (Ref:2903317)

I count 1 Kiwi and a Pom... not 10 Aussies!

Nor every day Aussies at that...

peckstar · 22 Jun 2011, 08:44 (Ref:2903329)

any chance we can give this thread a title that reflects its correct name. I imagine that as the series goes ahead, there will be some discussion regarding it and a title that many of us on here are too young to remember is not a good idea

‘Shannons Supercar Showdown" starts July 23rd on Mate

PVDA · 22 Jun 2011, 09:39 (Ref:2903363)

So can a 16 year old get the right level of racing licence to race in the SC1000??

It will be interesting to see how they get the relevant signatures on thier licences for the FIA upgrade required.