Racing Sedans and Tin Tops, I Understand the Engineering. I Know
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[DAVID RUSSELL] Baker James IN DAD’S WHEEL TRACKS inSPIRED BY HIS touRinG caR RacinG FatHER, DAVID RUSSELL intENDS to CREatE HIS OWN LEGacY in THE SPORT, AS JOHN BANNON LEARNS HE CLOSEST most youngsters series for the first time.” Owen. The Triple Eight Racing enduro “If you are getting results and get to motor racing is pretending Russell was nominated for rookie of driver blitzed them in qualifying, taking winning races in all these different Twith Matchbox cars. Before the year after a season-best seventh pole by over half a second. Russell categories, it is pointing towards David Russell had his first day in place finish at Phillip Island and 12th in and Moffat were almost left stranded. something, isn’t it?” Russell says. kindergarten he was part of his Dad’s the championship. The weekend couldn’t have been much At 28, Ford driver Russell is hardly ‘pit crew’. He sat in the cars, grabbed Russell made his Bathurst worse. A tangle with Tim Blanchard in old but he’s not a spring chicken either. the steering wheel and imagined 1000 debut in 2003 alongside Jose race one left Russell crawling home 21-year-old Shane Van Gisbergen is what it would be like to take on Mount Fernandez but the pair didn’t finish. 14th. He later showed his true talent in leaving his mark on the main game Panorama. Dreams can come true. The young racer continued his race two as he came through the field along with other early 20s racers. “I enjoyed watching Dad compete,” production car success in 2004 before to claim third spot. A fine effort on the Russell is pragmatic about the issue. Russell reflects. “Sitting in the seats, I landing a Carrera Cup drive in 2006. A demanding Adelaide layout, though “It [age] is something in the back of couldn’t even reach the pedals then!” breakthrough win came in 2007 before Owen took all the glory. your mind,” he admits. “But there are Racing is in Russell’s blood. His finishing a career best third in the “He’s got a really big lead [in guys 10 years older than me that are father Geoff is a former Australian championship in 2008. He has battled the championship],” Russell says still there doing a good job.” touring car competitor, Sports Sedan hard to return to V8s. now. “There would definitely have Russell additionally feels his diverse champ and Bathurst veteran. Russell “Winning races in Carrera Cup and to be some bad luck and some experience is perhaps his greatest even raced with and against his father winning championships in production circumstances not to take out the asset to a V8 Supercar team. in production cars. Their bond is fixed “Racing sedans and tin tops, I around fast cars. understand the engineering behind Attending race meetings, taking in Fujitsu Series heavyweight Russell is powering towards a drive in the main game them and what makes them tick,” the roar of engines, inhaling fumes Russell says. “Mechanically I’m very and looking under the bonnet were all forgiving on the car. I know how it part of Russell’s upbringing. It was a should be driven and how it works.” destiny he never strayed from. Russell is determined to end “I think for me it was something I up in the main game and lists the lived and breathed,” Russell smiles. 2010 Bathurst 1000, where he will “It is always a great experience for me partner Jonathon Webb at DJR, as his going to the track.” time to shine. A natural sportsman, Russell also “There is no reason I can’t jump in enjoyed athletics, rugby league and and do as good a job as some of the tennis growing up. older guys and certainly the young “It would have been a lot cheaper,” guys coming through,” he states. Russell laughs. “Pick up a tennis Shining in 2010 is made all the more racquet, a tin of balls and you are on difficult by experienced enduro co- your way.” drivers making their way back to the While tennis can be a tough game Fujitsu Series for some practice laps. It physically, mentally it is torture. means a sizable challenge for Russell Climbing the Australian motorsport but he has no intention of shying away ladder is no different. from it. If he succeeds in beating the His karting career began in 1993 but likes of Paul Morris, Craig Baird, it was not long before he was racing cars… that certainly elevated me to championship but stranger things Marcus Marshall and Luke Youlden, he cars. In 1997 at just age 15, he became having some V8 miles,” Russell adds. have happened.” could be thrown a full-time main game Queensland’s youngest hillclimb Success launched Russell back into Indeed, Russell has some serious drive before he knows it. series champion. The titles continued a V8 for 2009. After five years away work to do. He sits 332 points behind “If I didn’t think I’d be competitive to flow; he took the 1998 Bathurst from the development series he was the championship leader, but the fight in that series I wouldn’t be trying so Hillclimb Championship and the 1999 an instant hit with Howard Racing, is not over. hard,” he states. “I understand that Queensland Sports Sedan Series. He finishing third by year’s end. “I’m sure if I take the view that he to join that series there is a huge step still hadn’t turned 18. Move forward to Saturday March 6, has won it already I wouldn’t have that up to the next level. I think given the Russell is not a one trick pony. Two 2010. David Russell has just signed for motivation [to win].” opportunity I can mix it with the best.” years later he claimed the NSW V8 Matthew White Motorsport for the 2010 Russell acknowledges Owen Russell has the skill and experience CAREER HiGHLIGHTS: Modified Dirt Speedway Championship, Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. In less than has been the pacesetter in 2010, to succeed. Plus, he’s aware each 2010 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 5th* yet in the same year he placed first in a week he would line up on the grid but believes he also has superior blast up the Mountain this year will 2009 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 3rd his class at a Bathurst production car for the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide with the machinery. be further strides towards a regular 2008 Australian Carrera Cup 3rd race. More production car success at team that delivered Jonathon Webb the Like Owen, Russell has natural V8 Supercar drive, the realisation of 2008 Dubai 24 Hour Race 4th Bathurst followed in 2002 but his big 2009 title. speed and experience in many a dream for a bloke whose ambition Season 2010 was set to be David motorsport disciplines, something he 2007 Australian Carrera Cup 8th break came at the end of that year not too many years ago was merely 2007 Bathurst 12 Hour 1st when the mechanic by trade won the Russell’s year. Pre-season Fujitsu says counts for rather a lot. reaching the pedals. Chance of a Lifetime motor racing V8 Supercar Series championship 2006 Australian Carrera Cup 5th competition. Pitted against over 120 favourite James Moffat rated 2004 Aus Production Car Championship other hopefuls, he set the best times Russell’s chances and believed the RACING SEDANS AND TIN TOPS, I 2nd outright, 1st in class and landed a drive in the Fujitsu V8 Queenslander was the true favourite 2003 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 12th Supercar Series for 2003. for the title. UNDERSTAND THE ENGINEERING. I KNOW 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour 1st in class “I guess you could say it was the He had the runs on the board. The 2002 Bathurst 24 Hour 1st in class defining moment in my career,” MW Motorsport driver won the Clipsal HOW IT SHOULD BE DRIVEN AND HOW 2001 Bathurst Two Hour 1st in class Russell reflects. “It gave me the round in 2009; a repeat performance would’ve been no surprise. Enter Steve David Russell 2001 NSW Speedway V8 Modified chance to drive a V8 Supercar in a IT WORKS Dirt Racing 1st 22 AUTOACTION 13XX 1999 QLD Sports Sedan Series 1st 1998 Bathurst Hillclimb Series 1st 1997 Queensland Hillclimb Series 1st 93-95 Junior Karting multiple wins XXXX XX - XX, 2010 23 Untitled-7 1 9/07/2010 4:36:02 PM.