Rogers plucks Konica talent for enduro squad
28/6/2001 17:07 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Garry Rogers has plucked two of the brightest young stars from the Konica Series nursery to complete his endurance driving squad – young-guns Paul Dumbrell and Leanne Ferrier.
Bathurst bound: They make a lovely couple....but don't tell Garth
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Ferrier and Dumbrell will campaign the Valvoline-Cummins sister Commodore to the team’s lead car of Garth Tander and Jason Bargwanna at the Queensland 500 and Bathurst 1000.
The dynamic duo, fierce rivals on the Konica Series circuit throughout the year, will be one of the youngest driving combinations ever to compete in the two events, but bring to the team a level of maturity well beyond their years, Rogers says.
“The decision to include Leanne and Paul in our line-up is based purely on belief in their ability to do the job well for the team,” he said.
“Leanne has developed very well from Formula Ford where she took third overall in the 2000 championship to make the big step up to the Konica Series in a 600 horsepower Commodore where she has consistently run in the top three or four cars.
“Paul has fought tooth and nail with Leanne in the Konica Series and has impressed me with his professional, committed and mature approach to his racing this year.”
21-year-old Ferrier, girlfriend of Garth Tander, is arguably the leading female racer in Australia. Nurtured through the ranks by Rogers himself, she made the leap to V8 Supercars this year in a Rogers-prepared Konica entry and has acquitted herself impressively.
“I am still pinching myself to make sure it is real,” a delighted Ferrier said.
“It is difficult for anyone to get a start in V8 Supercars, let alone a woman, so to be driving in two of Australia’s most difficult long distance events in the country’s premier category of motor racing with one of the nation’s top teams is definitely a dream come true for me.”
Her partner is just 18 year’s of age, but has a wealth of experience under his belt. With a resume including Formula Holden, Formula 3000, Super Tourers, GT Production, NASCAR, and V8 Supercars (including two Bathurst starts), Dumbrell is primed for another endurance assault.
“I was looking for a drive in the long distance events but there was nothing on the horizon,” he explained.
“When I got the call from Garry I was ecstatic. It will be exhilarating driving for one of Australia’s best racing teams in a highly competitive car. I am pleased the efforts I have been making this year have not gone unnoticed.”
Dumbrell, currently second in the Konica championship behind David Parsons, says his rivalry with Ferrier (fifth in the points standings) will be put aside for the good of the Rogers outfit.
“I guess we will be friendlier to each other off the track now and will help each other to get the best possible results in the endurance races, but there will be no holds barred in the Konica Series because we are both fighting to win the Championship,” he said.
Ferrier agreed; “Having been competitors we understand each other, we know each other’s abilities and can have confidence that neither of us will do anything silly.”
Her relationship with Tander is also a non-issue according to Ferrier, saying, “he’ll just be another competitor on the track.”
A typically astute Rogers said, “what they do off the track is their business.
“I have no doubt Leanne and Paul will acquit themselves well, and of course Jason and Garth will be focussed on going one better at Queensland (they finished runner-up last year) and taking out back-to-back Bathurst wins.”
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