Sydney Star to join Walden Motorsport
10/9/2004 12:41 (Press Release) -
Walden Motorsport has today announced the addition of Top-Ten Konica Minolta Series driver Grant Elliott into the team for Round 9 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Betta Electrical 500 at Sandown International Raceway this coming weekend.
The 33 year-old Wollongong local will take up the position of co-driver along side team regular Garth Walden for the first of the two major endurance races of the V8 Supercar Calendar, in what is expected to be a competitive round.
Team Manager Brian Walden said, “I had spoken to quite a few people who were interested in this position before making the final decision to take on Grant.
“Ultimately you’ve got to look at what someone can bring to the team by way of experience and ability… with a competitive Konica Minolta Series under his belt, I think [Grant] will be a welcomed addition to the team.”
Elliott finished in ninth position in the 2004 Konica Minolta Series driving the Sydney Star Trucks and Buses’ VX Commodore after only twice recording results outside fifteenth for any race.
Ironically, Elliott’s best finish all season was a third on his self-proclaimed least favourite track – made more significant when considering he recording his season’s worst 25th only hours before.
“He has been campaigning the Commodore all year, but with his experience at Mount Panorama last year in the AU [Falcon], and a season of consistent results, I have great confidence in his abilities,” said Brian.
This new addition is not expected to be the last for the team that seized an opportunity in July this year to compete in the pinnacle of Australian Motorsport under Romano Racing Franchise.
Having recently discussed a deal with Ford Performance Racing to purchase a BA Falcon there are high expectations for the team’s direction in motor sport.
“Things are really starting to come together for us at the moment… Although we are firmly focussed on getting through the endurance races, we are also definitely looking towards 2005,” said Brian.
“The goal in taking this opportunity has always been to get some invaluable experience for the team, and I don’t know of anyone who would seriously not want to stay at this level.
“We will be looking for some consistent and competitive results in the remaining rounds of the year, and hopefully that will generate enough interest to see us remain in this competition and show our true potential.”
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