Grand Prix entry list released
7/2/2002 18:33 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
A full grid of V8 Supercars will partake in a spectacular pre-season shakedown next month at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit, in support of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
The top 26 drivers from last year’s championship will compete in Melbourne, along with another four Level 1 competitors above the cutoff mark.
Neil Crompton and Rod Nash Racing’s Craig Baird will fill the remaining two positions on the 32-car grid, awarded wildcards by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation.
Briggs Motorsport’s high-profile Brazilian recruit, Max Wilson, was refused entry and faces the daunting task of pre-qualifying for the Clipsal 500 in his debut V8 Supercar outing. TWR Young Lion Rick Kelly and Dugal McDougall also failed to secure wildcard entry.
Glenn Seton has been entered as Ford Credit Racing for the Grand Prix, seemingly drawing the curtain on his forgettable three-year stint as the Blue Oval’s flagship outfit, Ford Tickford Racing. Seton will launch his new-look solo challenge next week.
Craig Lowndes’ unidentified Ford outfit, formerly Gibson Motorsport, also looks set to race under a new guise this season, entered as Ford/Dunlop/Mobil. Their 2002 season launch is expected in the lead-up to the Grand Prix.
The non-championship meet will take on added importance this year, with the majority of teams to run on the new Dunlop control tyre for the first time in Melbourne. With AVESCO restricting teams to one test day prior to the Clipsal 500, most have elected to test after the Grand Prix.
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