Mark Skaife to join Triple Eight for enduros

Mark Skaife is poised to be named as an endurance driver with Team Vodafone, according to Motorsport eNews. Sources have told the Australian magazine that the five-time Bathurst winner will be unveiled at the team launch in Sydney on Tuesday morning, and will take part in the L&H 500 at Phillip Island in September and the Bathurst 1000 in October.

After negotiations for Skaife to stand in for Greg Murphy (who has clashing Top Gear Live commitments in New Zealand) at Abu Dhabi in the PMM Castrol Racing Commodore collapsed, the five time Australian champion appears to have been snapped up by the Triple Eight team.

Motorsport eNews reports that Skaife, who retired from full-time racing in October 2008, will be tied to the team in exchange for a contract that reliable sources have put “in excess of $100,000” for the two races. In return Triple Eight have signed the most-experienced co-driver available that should stand them in good stead come Phillip Island and Bathurst.

Roland Dane’s team have won five endurance events in the past five years with Ford, which coupled with Skaife’s presence will ensure that the now Holden team should add to that tally in 2010. Whether Skaife partners up with Craig Lowndes or reigning champion Jamie Whincup remains to be seen.