A new look Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series kicks off at Wakefield Park, Goulburn this weekend in what is expected to be an exciting clash of new talent against the more experienced of competitors.
The 2004 season starts with a new Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series logo after the two Japanese photography giants merged companies late last year, resulting in the name change to incorporate Minolta.
Konica Minolta Sales Director Richard Gurr said he will be looking forward to another successful year of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series.
“With the companies Konica and Minolta now non-existent, it is very important for us to get the series recognised as the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series,” Mr Gurr said.
“The first three years of the series has given the former company Konica excellent exposure across the country and that is what has led us to renew our contract for another three years. It is testimony to how successful the series has been.”
The fight for the first round of the Championship is expected to be bigger and better than ever before with a number of new competitors throwing their hand up to be 2004 title contenders.
With 2003 Konica V8 Supercar Series Champion Mark Winterbottom being snapped up by V8 Supercar Championship Series team Larkham Motor Sport for the next two years, the chance for a new rising star has increased.
Speed FX Racing’s Brad Tilley will drive the Ford Falcon AU that Winterbottom and Stone Brothers Racing won the 2003 championship with, already impressing team members after matching the same pole position time at Wakefield Park that Winterbottom set last year.
The outing was the first test day for Speed FX Racing and the first drive in a V8 Supercar for Tilley who successfully competed in the National Historic Touring Car Series in 2002 and 2003, winning the title in both years.
