HSV duo set for Desert showdown
The HSV Dealer Team duo of Rick Kelly and Paul Dumbrell have already arrived in Bahrain for this weekend’s Desert 400 showdown at the world renowned Bahrain International Circuit.
2008 marks the third year the V8 Supercars have made the 12,000km journey to the Middle East for the Desert race.
Having qualified on the first two rows of the grid over the last two rounds, Dumbrell will be looking to convert the speed he has shown in qualifying to race results this weekend.
‘It is great to see that the work we have been doing over the last few rounds has paid off in qualifying, now we just have to convert that to race results” Dumbrell said.
“It is great to have the opportunity to race at a venue like Bahrain. The circuit is of such high quality and the facilities are absolutely world class.”
The Bahrain circuit consists of a track surface that requires very precise technique to get the most out of the car. The BIC circuit also hosts a round of the Formula One Championship, however the V8 Supercar field competes on a shortened circuit compared to F1. The long GP circuit doesn’t lend itself to the V8 Racing format.
“The Bahrain track itself is quite difficult with long flowing high speed corners and fast long straights which are a challenge to all drivers meaning you need to be on your game” said Dumbrell.
Dealer Team’s Rick Kelly said he wanted to put some strong performances on the board in the last three rounds to make up for an up and down year.
“We’ve had good speed, which I now want to convert into Championship points” Kelly said.
During the last round of the Championship at Surfers Paradise, Rick Kelly came from the rear of the field to finish the Indy weekend fifth in the final race, suffering engine issues in Race 1. He will be looking to transfer some of the form he found and apply it to the Bahrain circuit.
“It was unfortunate we had those engine issues in Race 1 at Indy” Kelly said.
“We managed to make up ground in the final two races so the plan for this weekend is to put our heads down and try and punch out some consistent results, first in qualifying and then in the three races” he added.
“Hopefully Bahrain will be that turning point we have been looking for.”
With one of the HSV Dealer Team cars finishing up the front in the event in 2006 the team have been able to put together a plan heading into this weekend.
“We have suffered a bit of bad luck in the past at Bahrain so we will be looking to improve on that for this year. We didn’t qualify too badly last year so we have a good base to work on for this weekend” said Kelly.
One of the most significant announcements for V8 Supercars this year was made when Toll Holden Racing Team driver Mark Skaife announced he will be retiring as a full time V8 Supercar driver at the end of the season.
Kelly and Dumbrell have both battled it out on the circuit with him for most of their career.
“Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes were the last two of the Touring Car icons left in today’s field” Dumbrell reflected.
“When racing against him you had to work hard. He made you earn every inch on the track and his application and dedication to Holden and this sport has been second to none. He has been a great benchmark for all drivers to aspire to and it will definitely be different lining up on the grid next year and not seeing Mark Skaife.”
Coinciding with this weekends round is the first week of Movember (the month formerly known as November). Both Kelly and Dumbrell will be sporting ‘Mo’s’ in Bahrain as official ambassadors of Movember which kicked off last Saturday, November 1st.
“Now that November has hit, Rick and I have started growing our Mo’s. Whilst we will no doubt get a few laughs for our unusually thin Mo’s it is for a great cause” said Dumbrell.
Kelly added “I have been studying the ‘Movember Style Guide’ for a few weeks, so now it’s time to actually pin on the Mo and raise some awareness for prostate cancer and Beyond Blue.”
