Kiwi Stichbury joins Morris for Konica assault
13/12/2001 13:39 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
A day after Brad Jones announced an expansion of his fledgling V8 Supercar operation, fellow Super Touring convert Paul Morris has unveiled his plans for a two-car assault on next year’s V8 Supercar series.
Ashley Stichbury will pilot a VT Commodore in next year's Konica Series for Paul Morris
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But unlike Jones, Gold Coast-based Morris will enter his second car in the Konica Series, for Kiwi steerer, and Morris’ Bathurst co-driver, Ashley Stichbury.
Morris will later pair with the 30-year-old Aucklander in the endurance events, the Queensland 500 and V8 Supercar 1000.
Morris, a V8 Supercar sophomore who broke through for an upset round victory at Calder Park this year, said the five-round Konica league would prepare Stichbury for the endurance races.
"We've been looking at running a second car and Ash (Stichbury) is the type of driver we wanted," Morris said.
"He's fast, but like all of us, you need race miles and testing to be competitive in these cars, especially at Bathurst.
"I think he will do a great job in both the Konica Series and also in the enduros with me."
Morris will pilot the team’s new VX Commodore, baptised at the Gold Coast Indy meeting, while Stichbury will campaign the ex-HRT, Calder-winning VT model.
"Getting this drive is a fantastic opportunity, and it will give my career the momentum I need," said Stichbury, the current TraNZam champion in New Zealand.
"My aim will be to win the Konica Series and Paul (Morris) and his team are giving me the gear capable of doing the job.
"Apart from that I'm also keen to get in the car with Paul in the endurance races later in the season and help the team get the best possible results."
Morris said he’d employ two more crew to cater for the second car.
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