[clutch]

V8 Supercars get massive endorsement from American sporting great

Release Date: 02/12/2007One of the biggest names in world motorsport wants to race in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in the future after giving Australia’s premier category a massive endorsement at Phillip Island today.

Dale Earnhardt Jnr, recently voted in the top five of America’s five biggest sporting names, was so impressed with the sport that he now wants to drive. Earnhardt is a veteran of America’s second biggest sport, NASCAR, and the son of legend Dale Earnhart.

He was at the Dunlop Grand Finale at Phillip Island today to start a two-week Australian holiday with friends to escape his crazy world back home. He had one request during his time – to see V8 Supercars first-hand having been a devoted viewer on Speed Channel in the US.

“We’ve become fans of V8 Supercars from watching on television. This series has come a long, long way since I started watching it. I would be quite proud to showcase this off to anyone,” said Earnhardt.

“In a perfect world I would come and race fulltime in the V8 series for a year. I believe I would enjoy it. I like the format over the weekend as far as the rounds go.

“It is definitely different to how we approach the weekend. I would definitely enjoy coming here and racing and dedicating solely to that.

“I could probably talk to the right people and make that happen. I would definitely entertain that. I am going to run my butt off in the Cup cars until I can’t anymore and maybe I’ll move to Australia and race the V8 cars as long as there’s a ride for me.”

Earnhardt was particularly impressed by the technology of a V8 Supercar and the professionalism of the teams that prepare them.

“The craftsmanship on the cars was really, really impressive,” he said.

“The technology is very impressive especially the ability to record data for the whole weekend is much different. We don’t have that. The fuel injection and all those things are also remarkable.”

Earnhardt was full of praise for Australian racer Marcos Ambrose, a two-time V8 Supercar Champion, who he will race alongside next year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Ambrose has done the hard yards working towards a full-time drive at the top level in NASCAR and takes the next step with selected race in the main game next year.

“Having Marcos come race with us has given us a better understanding of the (V8 Supercar) Series,” he said.

“I have watched him pretty closely in the races he has run. One thing that has stuck out to me that Marcos came into the Busch Series he was very respectful and very understanding of his position as a rookie.

“He came in with a lot of humility. That was really impressive. He’s well received and well respected.

“Marcos had a great opportunity at the win in Montreal. The way he handled that was a great example to a lot of other drivers in the sport. He could have blasted a couple of drivers after that race but he didn’t which was pretty impressive the way he handled himself.

“He adapted so quickly in the (secondary) Busch series and the V8 Supercars are quite similar that I don’t think he will have much problem stepping up.”

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by clutch

V8 Supercars get massive endorsement from American sporting great

Release Date: 02/12/2007One of the biggest names in world motorsport wants to race in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in the future after giving Australia’s premier category a massive endorsement at Phillip Island today.

Dale Earnhardt Jnr, recently voted in the top five of America’s five biggest sporting names, was so impressed with the sport that he now wants to drive. Earnhardt is a veteran of America’s second biggest sport, NASCAR, and the son of legend Dale Earnhart.

He was at the Dunlop Grand Finale at Phillip Island today to start a two-week Australian holiday with friends to escape his crazy world back home. He had one request during his time – to see V8 Supercars first-hand having been a devoted viewer on Speed Channel in the US.

“We’ve become fans of V8 Supercars from watching on television. This series has come a long, long way since I started watching it. I would be quite proud to showcase this off to anyone,” said Earnhardt.

“In a perfect world I would come and race fulltime in the V8 series for a year. I believe I would enjoy it. I like the format over the weekend as far as the rounds go.

“It is definitely different to how we approach the weekend. I would definitely enjoy coming here and racing and dedicating solely to that.

“I could probably talk to the right people and make that happen. I would definitely entertain that. I am going to run my butt off in the Cup cars until I can’t anymore and maybe I’ll move to Australia and race the V8 cars as long as there’s a ride for me.”

Earnhardt was particularly impressed by the technology of a V8 Supercar and the professionalism of the teams that prepare them.

“The craftsmanship on the cars was really, really impressive,” he said.

“The technology is very impressive especially the ability to record data for the whole weekend is much different. We don’t have that. The fuel injection and all those things are also remarkable.”

Earnhardt was full of praise for Australian racer Marcos Ambrose, a two-time V8 Supercar Champion, who he will race alongside next year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup.

Ambrose has done the hard yards working towards a full-time drive at the top level in NASCAR and takes the next step with selected race in the main game next year.

“Having Marcos come race with us has given us a better understanding of the (V8 Supercar) Series,” he said.

“I have watched him pretty closely in the races he has run. One thing that has stuck out to me that Marcos came into the Busch Series he was very respectful and very understanding of his position as a rookie.

“He came in with a lot of humility. That was really impressive. He’s well received and well respected.

“Marcos had a great opportunity at the win in Montreal. The way he handled that was a great example to a lot of other drivers in the sport. He could have blasted a couple of drivers after that race but he didn’t which was pretty impressive the way he handled himself.

“He adapted so quickly in the (secondary) Busch series and the V8 Supercars are quite similar that I don’t think he will have much problem stepping up.”

Say what you will about the King of the [former] Red Army but the kid has class.

[clutch]

That was off the official V8 Supercars site......but I lifted this from Jayski's in case you missed it

Dale Earnhardt Jr guest at Phillip Island [Australia]: America's biggest motor sport star, Dale Earnhardt Jr, was the guest of honour at Phillip Island [Sunday]. Earnhardt is the most popular driver in NASCAR racing and earns more money than the entire V8 Supercar field combined. But unlike the media circus that surrounded David Beckham's recent visit to Australia, Earnhardt was able to slip under the radar. The only people clamouring to meet the racing celebrity were the V8 Supercar drivers and team managers as he walked down pit lane. The American had a close look at the cars and was impressed with the technology and craftsmanship. "I didn't anticipate the cars to have so much preparation because they race them so hard," Earnhardt said. Having just signed a multi-million dollar deal with NASCAR's leading team, Hendrick Motorsport, Earnhardt is highly unlikely to quit any time soon but admitted he would like to try his hand at V8 Supercars. "In a perfect world, I would come and race in the V8 series for a year and I would enjoy it," he said.(Herald Sun [Australia])(12-3-2007)

[Racer Duck]

makes me wonder, did he go to the bash in NYC? and if so, was he at Philip Island first? I don't see how he could have made it in time the other way...how long is the flight from Melbourne to NYC???

Takes 15 hours Melbourne to LA, 5 the rest of the way ... it sucks

I was at the race on Sunday and had no idea he was there.

Great race, great finish, beautiful weather ~30.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Takes 15 hours Melbourne to LA, 5 the rest of the way ... it sucks

I was at the race on Sunday and had no idea he was there.

Great race, great finish, beautiful weather ~30.

I'm envious. cold and rainy here.

I'm guessing he wasn't at the race on Sunday 'cause the NASCAR Banquet was Saturday evening and it just doesn't seem there'd be enough time for him to make the trip.

Does anybody know if Jr. was at the race Sunday?

[clutch]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I'm envious. cold and rainy here.

I'm guessing he wasn't at the race on Sunday 'cause the NASCAR Banquet was Saturday evening and it just doesn't seem there'd be enough time for him to make the trip.

Does anybody know if Jr. was at the race Sunday?

I take it then that you saw him at the Awards Banquet...?

We obviously dont get it on TV here. It sounded to me like Junior was at the race.
You gotta remember we are also a day ahead........
.......some say light years

[clutch]

He was at the Dunlop Grand Finale at Phillip Island today to start a two-week Australian holiday with friends to escape his crazy world back home. He had one request during his time – to see V8 Supercars first-hand having been a devoted viewer on Speed Channel in the US.

...Doesnt that say it all??