Toll, HSV in top-ten deal
Transport giant Toll Holdings has signed as major sponsor of the HSV Dealer Team for next year's V8 Supercar Championship.The new agreement signals a major step in Toll's motor sport commitment, extending on campaigns by Paul Little Racing in Porsches in the late 1990s and Anthony Tratt's privateer efforts in the V8 Supercar activities in recent seasons.
"There was momentum from sponsors, employees and our small but passionate team that the time was right for a step up," said Toll CEO, Paul Little. "Toll couldn't wish to a join a more competitive and professional team. We expect to be very competitive and successful."
Two-time Bathurst winner Rick Kelly and front-runner Garth Tander will drive for the Toll HSV Dealer Team, which will draw on resources supplied by Holden Special Vehicles and its dealer network, and the Kelly Racing Team.
The announcement was made before a crowd at the St Kilda Marina with HSV's John Crennan, Holden's Denny Mooney and race managers Mark Skaife and Tom Walkinshaw in attendance. Walkinshaw's Performance Group will provide technical support.
Crennan said the new partnership elevated the Toll HSV Dealer Team to Supercar's top-ten "heavyweight division".
"The great thing about the Toll association is they understand racing," he said. "With a CEO being a racer who has not only been behind the wheel but also understands the complexities and science of running race team, it makes for a successful association."
The Toll HSV Dealer Team's first appearance for the '06 season will be at the Clipsal 500 on March 23-26. This year's championship concludes at Phillip Island for the 'Grand Finale' meeting this weekend (November 26-27).
2005 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
1 Russell Ingall 1,754
2 Craig Lowndes 1,705
3 Marcos Ambrose 1,668
4 Todd Kelly 1,632
5 Mark Skaife 1,622
6 Steven Richards 1,601
7 Garth Tander 1,552
8 Jason Bright 1,470
9 Rick Kelly 1,454
10 Cameron McConville 1,409
11 Steven Johnson 1,380
12 Greg Murphy 1,332
13 Glenn Seton 1,283
14 Steve Ellery 1,274
15 Paul Radisich 1,244
16 Jamie Whincup 1,235
17 John Bowe 1,195
18 Jason Richards 1,185
19 Brad Jones 991
20 Paul Morris 971
21 Craig Baird 954
22 Paul Dumbrell 934
23 David Besnard 862
24 Paul Weel 858
25 Max Wilson 839
26 Jason Bargwanna 785
27 Greg Ritter 739
28 Andrew Jones 733
29 Matthew White 599
30 Mark Winterbottom 598
31 Anthony Tratt 511
32 Alex Davison 469
33 Steve Owen 434
34 Simon Wills 403
35 Dean Canto 312
36 David Brabham 210
37 Owen Kelly 200
38 Yvann Muller 192
39 Adam Macrow 184
40 Luke Youlden 176
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