Hossack wins internal dog-fight to snare Bathurst seat
27/6/2000 17:19 (Jason Whittaker) - The K-Mart Racing internal dog-fight to snare a prized endurance seat has been run and won, with the team confirming Darren Hossack as the victor.
From a list of seven candidates, including Ryan McLeod, Grant Kenny, Stephen White, Matthew Halliday, Shane Drake and Steward McColl, Hossack was the man chosen to partner Terry Finnigan in the team’s second Commodore for the Bathurst epic in November. Shell Series campaigners, Greg Murphy and Steven Richards, will run the team’s lead car.
With plenty of
endurance racing experience, including
three Bathurst starts under his belt, K-Mart Racing Manager, Garry Dumbrell, chose Hossack after a series of test days over the past two weeks.
"Darren’s history of competitive runs at Bathurst and his race consistency secured him the spot," Dumbrell said.
"Darren also has worked in with the team previously, which means he knows the crew, their systems and how they operate and that’s an important element in any endurance race,” he said.
"His
two top ten finishes from three Bathurst starts proves he has what it takes to be competitive under gruelling Bathurst conditions and he has the advantage of being physically fit and mentally tuned to the job, an important consideration given the demands of long distance driving,” he concluded.
Hossack, who has previously worked with the Fred Gibson operation in the Wynn’s era of two years ago, was ecstatic to be chosen over a talented list of drivers.
"I’m just happy to have another shot at the Mountain and to be back in V8 Supercars," the 29-year-old said.
"And to be offered the opportunity in a Level One car just makes it even better. I’ll be giving it everything I can to repay Garry and the team for the confidence they’ve shown in me.
A graduate from the karting ranks, Hossack made his impression in a V8 in 1997, where he drove to a sixth-place finish with Steven Ellery at Bathurst, and won the Rookie of the Year title.
Hossack has not competed in a V8 Supercar since Bathurst last year, driving with the Romano team.
"Between now and November, I’ll be doing everything in my power to prepare as best I can, hopefully that’ll include some time testing in the second Kmart Commodore,” Hossack said.
“Come race day though, there’s no doubt I’ll be focused and ready to race," he said.
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