The Stig to race at Bathurst

Kelly Racing has scored a major coup for this year's Phillip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000 endurance races by signing British racer Ben Collins, the man widely believed to play The Stig on popular motor show Top Gear. Collins, 34, will share a Jack Daniel's sponsored Holden Commodore with V8 long-distance specialist Nathan Pretty.

A veteran of Indy Lights, Formula Three, prototype sportscar and NASCAR-style competition in Europe, Collins has plenty of endurance racing experience. He got a taste for V8 Supercars earlier this year when he tested for the Holden Racing Team.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to race in V8 Supercars with Jack Daniel's Racing," Collins said.

"Phillip Island and Bathurst are two circuits that every driver would love to get the chance to race on, especially Bathurst, which is such a famous race.

"I drove a Holden V8 Supercar earlier this year and these cars are sensational. They're very demanding and the level of talent and professionalism in this category is very high."

The news that Collins will partner Pretty in the second Jack Daniel's backed entry confirms that team owners Rick and Todd Kelly will share the lead car.

Todd believes despite Collins' inexperience in a V8 Supercar, he will be able to draw on his extensive endurance racing credentials from around the world.

"Ben comes to Jack Daniel's Racing with a wealth of experience," said Kelly.

"Endurance races like Phillip Island and Bathurst require a combination of pace and consistency, especially when it comes to 161 laps at Mount Panorama.

"Ben has achieved a lot in endurance style racing and he will be a real asset to our team as we tackle our first endurance events.

"It's fitting that he's paired with Nathan because the two of them are both noted endurance specialists. It's great to have two guys with such pedigree in our #15 Jack Daniel's Commodore."

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