Bargwanna joins Sprint Gas Racing

Former Bathurst winner Jason Bargwanna will return to the V8 Supercar Championship full-time in 2009, joining Sprint Gas Racing team as the driver of its #3 race car.
After a year on the V8 sidelines Bargwanna will partner four-time Bathurst winner Greg Murphy in 2009.

In trumping several top candidates, Bargwanna secured the Sprint Gas Racing drive based on his proven speed and experience.

The potential pairing of two Bathurst winners for the 2009 enduros counted heavily in his favour as did Bargwanna’s affinity with sponsors and his talent with the media.

Bargwanna has already amassed four round wins, 13 podiums, 42 top 10 finishes and a Bathurst win in 130 V8 Supercar starts and is hungry for more success with his new team.

“2008 has been a frustrating year, to have an opportunity to race V8s again in 2009 is sensational and not taken for granted,” Sprint Gas Racing’s Jason Bargwanna said.

“The team I was due to drive for in 2008 closed up shop just before the start of the season. It was so close to Clipsal that all the seats were full, there was no choice but to sit the year out and hope for a drive in 2009.

“When something like this happens it can very easily end a career so I was determined to do everything I could to prevent this from happening to me.

“I raced in the Mini Series, drove at Bathurst, did a bit of TV and I kept in contact with the right people – basically did as much as possible to ensure I was involved and noticed.

“I never doubted that I would be back in a full time seat, I’m a survivor in this sport and there are many years of V8s left in me.

“To say that I am excited about 2009 is an understatement; I am motivated more than ever and confident that the team will be a force in 2009.

“Sprint Gas Racing is a team on the up; it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

Bargwanna’s decision to join Sprint Gas Racing was made easier thanks to the team’s recent performance at Bathurst.

“Bathurst showed what the cars are capable of,” Bargwanna said.

“The potential is there, we’ve just got to unlock it. I’m really looking forward to working with the team as we enter the next phase.

“Car 3 was good this year; it had good pace and looked to be well balanced. There’s a lot to look forward to in 2009.

“Given my year out of the car, I think I’m looking forward to the first event of the season a little more than most. Clipsal can’t come soon enough for me.”

Sprint Gas Racing is excited to have Bargwanna joining the team.

“I’ve known Jason since the Holden Young Lions days so I know what a good pick up he is for Sprint Gas Racing,” Jeff Grech said.

“Bargs has a wealth of experience. His engineering understanding and feedback is exceptional, he is a significant addition to the team.

“He’s a former Bathurst winner and an obvious choice for the vacant seat in car 3 in 2009.

“I expect him to complement Greg (Murphy) and the engineering team well as we continue to move forward.”