Credit where it's due: Seton launches solo challenge
15/2/2002 16:41 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
"2002 is about going to the head of the pack of V8 Supercars," a defiant Glenn Seton said today, launching his new-look solo challenge for a make-or-break V8 Supercar season.
Glenn Seton is flying solo this year, in a new-look Ford Credit-backed Falcon
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It’s a back-to-basics approach for the long-suffering Ford stalwart, paring back to one car in a bid to snap a confidence-sapping four-year winless drought.
And in what he hopes is an omen, Ford Credit, the brand that powered his championship-winning 1997 assault, has signed-on as naming-rights sponsor. Seton unveiled the striking Ford Credit livery today.
"This championship is without doubt the toughest form of circuit racing anywhere in the world. However, our preparation, including the securing of Ford Credit as naming-rights sponsor, has us in a very strong position for the 2002 season,” he said.
The deal with Ford Credit ends a forgettable three-year stint as the flagship Ford Tickford Racing outfit.
Billed as Ford’s long-awaited factory team, Seton was deprived of the funds and support needed to live up to the expectations. Just two race wins were recorded by the underachieving outfit; one each to Seton and Steven Richards (who was released from his contract with the team late last year).
Seton’s last round win came at Eastern Creek Raceway back in 1997.
"We have the machinery in the form of the same Falcon that set the fastest-ever qualifying lap at Bathurst (2:09.77min), and a dedicated team of technicians to give us the edge on the track,” Seton said of his 2002 campaign.
“The first championship round in Adelaide will mark my 150th start in the championship. I can think of no better way to celebrate that achievement, and the return of Ford Credit as naming-rights sponsor, than with a victory on the streets of Adelaide.”
Ford Credit Managing Director, Geoff Green, said Seton would enjoy enthusiastic support from the automotive finance and insurance company, celebrating its 30th birthday in Australia.
"With over 1.4 million people actually attending races in 2001, as well as a TV and general media audience of many more million, Ford Credit is set to grow its business with the resumption of naming-rights sponsorship of Glenn's car,” Mr Green said.
"Glenn won the championship in 1997 driving for Ford Credit Racing and we anticipate Glenn having a very strong season this year.”
Also announced today was the signing of 24-year-old Owen Kelly for the team’s endurance campaign.
Kelly, fourth in last year’s Konica V8 Supercar Series, will partner Seton in the No. 5 Ford Credit Racing Falcon at the Queensland 500 and at Seton’s cursed field of dreams, Mount Panorama.
"Glenn is yet to win at Bathurst, but I'm sure that we can combine to give it a real shake this year,” Kelly said.
"Coming on board early in the year means that I can work closely with Glenn and the entire team leading up to Queensland and Bathurst.”
The team will be at Winton Raceway in Victoria on Monday for an extensive testing program, ahead of the non-championship V8 Supercar support races at the Australian F1 Grand Prix in Melbourne.
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