VIP treatment for McLean's revived series campaign
10/1/2002 12:32 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Cameron McLean will be a welcome permanent fixture on the V8 Supercar circuit this year after securing increased support from VIP Petfoods.
It's a dog's life for Cameron McLean, after securing the support of VIP Petfoods for the 2002 season
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McLean will contest the 2002 V8 Supercar championship under the VIP Petfoods banner, who have committed to the team’s complete 2002 program.
The team will campaign the recently acquired Prancing Horse Racing-built AU Falcon. The car, in black and gold ‘paw print’ livery, was unveiled at the team’s launch at Sanctuary Cove yesterday.
Also announced was a partnership with veteran racer Tony Scott, 44, who will team with McLean in the endurance events, the VIP Petfoods Queensland 500 and Bathurst V8 Supercar 1000.
The commitment from VIP Petfoods, owned and operated by motorsport competitor Tony Quinn, ends a period of enormous uncertainty for the Brisbane-based Paragon Motorsport outfit, who last year split with long-time supporter Greenfield Mowers after an acrimonious legal dispute over their sponsorship.
McLean appreciates the solidarity of the VIP Petfoods deal, and looks forward to his best season yet on the V8 Supercar circuit.
"Having VIP Petfoods on board as the principal sponsor, a new car and the budget for a full season gives me my strongest shot yet at the championship," the 34-year-old said.
"The V8 Supercar series is incredibly tough and competitive, but we'll be starting it in the best possible shape.
"Also, having Tony Scott signed up by Paragon Motorsport right from the beginning of the year is ideal. He'll have plenty of time during testing to get to know the car and the team, although we're old friends and have raced together before."
Tony Quinn said the decision to become the team’s principal backer, having supported McLean as an associate sponsor last season, was easy.
He said his $800,000 investment in motorsport last year, including the naming-rights sponsorship of the Queensland 500 (which will continue this year), was worth $12 million to the company, more than doubling turnover.
"We were very happy with our various motor racing sponsorships last year, but having the VIP Petfoods Falcon V8 Supercar is going to be huge," Quinn said.
The one-race-old car will be stripped and rebuilt over the next few weeks, though Team Manager Ross Dillon said only minor modifications would be made. “We’re keen to see what it can achieve in combination with Cameron’s talents,” he said.
Dillon said the team has put together its strongest-ever crew, led by Chief Engineer, Steve Hines.
The VIP Petfoods racer will make its debut at the opening event of the season, the non-championhip Formula One Grand Prix meet in Melbourne.
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