Chase for Skaife called off: HRT guns pair up
6/9/2002 17:19 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
The all-conquering Holden Racing Team will pair up its two championship guns, runaway series leader Mark Skaife and Jason Bright, for next week’s Queensland 500, officially ending V8 Supercar racing’s chase for Skaife.
Reluctant to accept Skaife’s inevitable championship victory, HRT’s announcement yesterday effectively puts a freeze on second-placed Bright’s series challenge. With Bright now unable to gain further ground on his teammate in the points-rich race, Skaife’s fifth crown is in the bag.
In announcing the decision, including the partnership of veterans Jim Richards and Tomas Mezera in the team's second car, HRT General Manager Jeff Grech talked of consolidating Bright’s vice-championship.
"Should the No. 1 car be successful, it gives Jason the best opportunity to consolidate second place in the series, as well as maximise Mark's championship lead," he said.
"They've been driving fulltime all year and the set-up of their two cars has been closer together than ever before over the past few race meetings so it makes for the ideal combination.
"Given the other leading combinations of [Greg] Murphy and Todd Kelly, [Marcos] Ambrose and Paul Weel, [Craig] Lowndes and [Neil] Crompton...putting Skaife and Bright together is what's needed."
Bright said the decision “made sense” and gives him the best opportunity to secure a HRT championship one-two.
"We had a very worthwhile test at Winton this week and our seating positions and car balance were very similar," Bright said, "so no major compromises have to be made."
The second car of Richards and Mezera will be a race challenger in its own right, Grech said, after an impressive showing in testing from both former Bathurst winners.
Skaife and Bright will share the team’s newest VX Commodore, the car Bright drove to victory at the last round at Winton. Richards and Mezera will drive Skaife’s regular Commodore.
Driver pairings for Bathurst won’t be announced until prior to the event.
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