Father/son tradition continues in lead up to S500.

With Father's Day just one week out from the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 [in Australia], Sirromet Wines Racing driver Paul Morris hasn't discounted the long term possibility of continuing a common trend in motorsport, by teaming up with three month-old son Nash some time down the track.

With Father's Day just one week out from the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 [in Australia], Sirromet Wines Racing driver Paul Morris hasn't discounted the long term possibility of continuing a common trend in motorsport, by teaming up with three month-old son Nash some time down the track.

Already over the 10 years of the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series father/son combinations such as Dick and Steve Johnson, Paul and Kees Weel, plus Jim and Steve Richards have proven that motor sport is something that is very well entrenched in the bloodlines of the superstars of the sport.

"Motor racing has always been a family thing for us but for the time being I'm just enjoying him being a baby," said Morris. "I started racing when I was 17 through Formula Fords and Touring cars and I suppose there's a fair chance Nash will follow in those footsteps.

"Maybe we can get him started in a formula fuel cell."

But in the mean time Sirromet Wines Racing is banking on a driver with a lot more experience to help them capture some greatly anticipated success during their endurance assault in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series.

"John Faulkner has been to Sandown and Bathurst plenty of times and it's always a comfort having that sort of experience on board."

"It's hard being a one man team finding a driver you can rely on to produce the goods.

"I think things are shaping up well so now that we've had our test day we'll be set for some positive results at Sandown.

"Converting to the VY in the last six weeks has definitely been a huge step forward and it feels like we are making up probably over half a second.

"All the other guys, apart from Marcos (series leader Marcos Ambrose, Pirtek Racing) who is currently in a class of his own, have probably gone backwards compared to last year."

While Steve Richards (Castrol Perkins Racing) will line up against father Jim (Holden Racing Team) during the Betta Electrical Sandown 500, he admits that kindred guidance has been of great benefit.

"Going to the races with dad when I was young was always great and it isn't surprising that I followed him into racing," said Steve. "That's what most kids growing up want to do, follow their dads.

"Dad's been a great help and huge influence, although he's never pushed me.

"In fact, during my early career in karting and Formula Ford, he was busy racing himself, so I really had to learn a lot for myself and make my own mistakes."

Likewise, Jim is justly proud of his son's achievements.

"It was Steven's choice to go motor racing and we supported him in his decision, said Jim. "We were able to offer advice, but he had to learn for himself and he's done a tremendous job forging his own career.

"Just as we would be had he chosen another career path, we are very proud of what Steven is doing and what he has achieved."

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