Ambrose and Morris launch V8 Super School
8/10/2004 22:03 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercar drivers Marcos Ambrose and Paul Morris have established a joint venture partnership offering public and corporate opportunities to drive or ride as passengers in race-replica Ford Falcons and Holden Commodores.
Ambrose, the 2003 V8 Supercar champion, and Morris have set up the V8 Super School. In Queensland the driving and passenger packages will be offered at the Performance Driving Centre on the Gold Coast, where Morris' V8 Supercar team is based, and plans are underway to operate at other motoring venues around Australia.
The V8 Super School cars will be unveiled in demonstration laps around the 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst in the lead-up to the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 from October 7-10, which is the 10th round of the V8 Supercar Championship.
"These cars look great, and they sound fantastic," said Ambrose. "Anyone who drives them or rides as a passenger is going to have a lot of fun and excitement."
"It's a chance for fans to have a go themselves in a safe, affordable environment."
The V8 Super School cars will also be driven for demonstration laps during the Lexmark Indy 300 from October 21-24 in Surfers Paradise, which will feature the 11th V8 Supercar Championship round, the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge.
A fleet of V8 Commodores and Falcons have been built for the V8 Super School. They include a YV Holden in Sirromet Wines livery as raced by Morris in the V8 Supercar Championship, another Commodore in Castrol colours, and 'Marcos Ambrose Signature' Falcons displaying sponsors associated with Ambrose.
"We're looking at moving the whole show around Australia because there is clearly a big demand for people who want to either drive, or ride in these types of cars," said Morris.
The two V8 Super School packages offered are:
1. Drive 12 laps (3 x 4 sessions). Participants receive classroom and in-car tuition from qualified driving instructors before going onto the track. Minimum provisional driver licence required. Price $399 per person GST inclusive (includes certificate of completion, race suit and helmet hire, and entry to Motorsport Museum).
2. Passenger rides – 4 'hot' laps with qualified professional driving instructor. Price $120 per person GST inclusive (includes admission to Motorsport Museum, tour of Paul Morris Motorsports V8 Supercar workshop, complimentary Performance Driving Centre/Castrol cap.
Morris and Ambrose, who will race at both Bathurst and at the Gold Coast, stressed the V8 Super School cars had not been built to V8 Supercar specifications.
However, they feature modifications including springs and shock absorbers, 18-inch wheels with Michelin racing (slick) tyres, Holden Special Vehicles brakes on the Commodores, Brembo brakes on the Falcons, and an aerodynamic kit comprising front spoiler, rear wing, and side-skirts.
"This is a chance to try some different things, such as experiencing grip levels from driving with 'slick' tyres which is not usually possible," said Ambrose.
Morris said the engine specifications deliberately did not match the 600-horsepower powerplants used in V8 Supercars.
"It might be too much to expect people to handle 600-horsepower, but the V8 Super School cars still have plenty of 'grunt' and they get along quickly enough," he said.
"Those wanting to drive the cars will receive some classroom and in-car lessons from qualified driving instructors before going out onto the track. Each car will have four seats so we can take three passengers who can be driven by an instructor."
Ambrose and Morris said their decision to launch the V8 Super School followed a high volume of enquiries and requests from the corporate and public sectors, and motor racing enthusiasts, who wanted to experience driving or riding in high-performance Commodores and Falcons.
"The V8 Super School is an excellent alternative to the traditional corporate golf day, or something to add to a sales convention," said Ambrose. "It's also a good birthday or Christmas present, as well as for fans who want to get in and have a go behind the wheel."
In Queensland, the V8 Super School will operate daily at the Performance Driving Centre at Norwell after 3.30pm. Packages also include visits to the on-site Motorsport Museum featuring more than 50 notable racing and road-going vehicles.
NOTE: The public will have an opportunity to win a lap as a passenger in a V8 Super School car at Bathurst. Entry forms will be available in the paddock at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000. The ride will be on October 8 after the Top 10 Shoot Out. A lap of the Surfers Paradise street circuit in a V8 Super School car can also be won during the Lexmark Indy 300. Entry information will be displayed on the 'Big Screens' during the event.
V8 SUPER SCHOOL ENQUIRIES – Tel: (07) 5546-1366. E-mail: info@performancedriving.com.au
V8 SUPER SCHOOL LOCATION: Performance Driving Centre, 75 Norwell Road, Norwell, Queensland 4208
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