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

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