Ellery goes super-cheap to kick-start career
29/1/2000 13:11 (Jason Whittaker) - After years in the motor racing wilderness, young V8 racer Steven Ellery has received a major boast to his blossoming career, with auto retailing giant Super Cheap Auto signing on as principal sponsor of Ellery's Queensland operation, yesterday.
A combination of resources between SuperCheap and Ellery could be a V8Supercar force in 2000.
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At a media launch for Steven Ellery Racing's 2000 Shell Series campaign at Queensland Raceway yesterday, Ellery and his small Queensland-based racing outfit officially announced the signing of Super Cheap Auto for the coming Shell Series Championship.
Unveiled at the launch was the team's new AU Falcon, fully decked-out in the blue, red and yellow colours of the motoring retailer.
The team will also receive a boast from Ford Australia, who is set to greatly increase their support for the Ellery operation. Castrol Australia and Symon have also signed-on as sponsors.
For Ellery, the new deal ensures the team can produce a competitive package week-in, week-out, and Ellery couldn't be happier.
"At this time last year, we were a team who started out with nothing; we had a mechanic, a driver and a chef. We went to the first race with the old EL on a hired truck, we had a race car and tool box and that's about it. Now the team has a massive Pantech trailer and a dedicated crew of six," the 26-year-old said.
"We are now really looking forward to getting out to Phillip Island and doing a really good job for Super Cheap Auto, and hopefully gaining a long working relationship with them."
It would seem Ellery has been around in the category for many more years than he actually has, after stints with Tony Longhurst, Paul Romano, Fred Gibson, and the Holden Young Lions outfit.
However, it was last year that Ellery truly made his mark on the sport, putting in impressive performances at Oran Park and at the Grand Prix support races with his own EL Falcon, and driving two outstanding stints at Bathurst with DJR, to nearly claim victory with Paul Radisich.
After catching the eye of many in the category, Ellery had lucrative offers to join other Level 1 teams, but opted to remain loyal to his own Queensland-based outfit. After signing the contract with Super Cheap this week, Ellery is now reaping the rewards.
"It would be great to be able to say that we could take a win out of the
box. But I guess being realistic, our goal for Phillip Island would be to finish in the top 10," a hopeful Ellery declared.
We seem to set our standards pretty high; we want to go there and win, we're not going there to come second. However, realistically we would be happy to walk away with a top 10 finish."
"Personally I think a top 5 is achievable, and to finish in the top 5 overall (in the championship). I can't see why not, all we have to do is get the car ready on time."
The team tested the new AU Falcon for the second time at the launch on Thursday, and, after a minor radiator problem, early development progress has been positive.
Also announced at the launch, former John Briggs/Super Cheap driver Bob Thorn will also be joining the Super Cheap squad for 2000.
45-year-old Thorn will race an American-imported Jaguar XK8 in the GTP World Cup later this year under the Super Cheap Auto banner, in an exciting dual-class effort for the auto retailer. It is also likely Thorn will partner Ellery in the AU Falcon later in the year for the two season-ending endurance events.
"It is pretty pleasing to see the new sponsors come aboard, and it looks good for the future. We think we will gain their support for years to come, and if we can get the results it will be great for the team," Thorn said.
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