Post by TC Ink on Nov 24, 2008 10:04:05 GMT 10
from V8Supercars.com
Kelly Racing is far from a done deal
Release date: 23/11/2008
Despite media reports that the Kelly Racing Team is all stitched up, the Kelly brothers say the team is far from a fait accompli.
Rick, who drives for the HSV Dealer Team, which his parents hold the licences for, is almost certain to drive for the new team.
“It’s certainly close to that point and I have been lucky enough in the last two months to have the opportunity to talk to a lot of people and a lot of teams on where they’re heading into the future,” he told BigPond Sport.
“And in saying that, the Kelly Racing opportunity that’s been put in front of me is quite attractive and it’s something that I’m looking forward to.”
But Todd, who drives with Jack Daniel’s Racing in 2008, is nowhere near confirmed to join his brother in the family’s garage next year.
When asked about him going back to square one if the Kelly team does not adopt Perkins Engineering equipment, he replied “that is the drama”.
“There’s a lot of work next year to throw out the window so that’s a fairly serious option to consider, obviously,” the elder Kelly brother said.
Todd confirmed that an alliance between his current team, Jack Daniel’s Racing, and the re-incarnated Kelly team is also not a done deal.
“Everybody thinks this and that’s confirmed, but if you knew some of the chat that was going on this weekend it’s nowhere near that.
“There are four different ways to go about this… it would be good to wrap it all up and know what the plan is but you can’t rush into these things.
“There’s been a long relationship with Walkinshaw and you don’t want to go out and jump into another drama so how it all gets put together is quite critical and Dad and Rick don’t want to go out and look silly straight away,” he laughed.
Todd said sponsorship was another issue that was up in the air, including reports that Jack Daniel’s would move from Perkins to his team.
“They’re very loyal to Larry.
“They’ve had a fantastic relationship with them so that’s part of it we need to think about not just the drivers and the cars, but the whole team.
“There’s a lot of blank cars,” he laughed.
Rick indicated that Red Bull would not sponsor a car next year.
“There was no doubt we were having chats with Red Bull on the possibility of those guys coming on board and that was something that I guess I’m emotionally attached to,” he said.
“I like Red Bull and I love the product and everything about it so to have those guys would have been a fantastic opportunity.
“I’m not sure that’s going to happen in 2009 but if it came up at some point I’d love to be part of it.”
He did confirm the energy drink company would stay on board as his personal sponsor.
“We’ve had a relationship for a few years now and it’s something that I love being part of and it’s something that those guys are interested in continuing so we will continue a strong relationship through ‘09 and beyond.”
Author:Briar Gunther
Source:BigPond Sport - copyright
Release date: 23/11/2008
Despite media reports that the Kelly Racing Team is all stitched up, the Kelly brothers say the team is far from a fait accompli.
Rick, who drives for the HSV Dealer Team, which his parents hold the licences for, is almost certain to drive for the new team.
“It’s certainly close to that point and I have been lucky enough in the last two months to have the opportunity to talk to a lot of people and a lot of teams on where they’re heading into the future,” he told BigPond Sport.
“And in saying that, the Kelly Racing opportunity that’s been put in front of me is quite attractive and it’s something that I’m looking forward to.”
But Todd, who drives with Jack Daniel’s Racing in 2008, is nowhere near confirmed to join his brother in the family’s garage next year.
When asked about him going back to square one if the Kelly team does not adopt Perkins Engineering equipment, he replied “that is the drama”.
“There’s a lot of work next year to throw out the window so that’s a fairly serious option to consider, obviously,” the elder Kelly brother said.
Todd confirmed that an alliance between his current team, Jack Daniel’s Racing, and the re-incarnated Kelly team is also not a done deal.
“Everybody thinks this and that’s confirmed, but if you knew some of the chat that was going on this weekend it’s nowhere near that.
“There are four different ways to go about this… it would be good to wrap it all up and know what the plan is but you can’t rush into these things.
“There’s been a long relationship with Walkinshaw and you don’t want to go out and jump into another drama so how it all gets put together is quite critical and Dad and Rick don’t want to go out and look silly straight away,” he laughed.
Todd said sponsorship was another issue that was up in the air, including reports that Jack Daniel’s would move from Perkins to his team.
“They’re very loyal to Larry.
“They’ve had a fantastic relationship with them so that’s part of it we need to think about not just the drivers and the cars, but the whole team.
“There’s a lot of blank cars,” he laughed.
Rick indicated that Red Bull would not sponsor a car next year.
“There was no doubt we were having chats with Red Bull on the possibility of those guys coming on board and that was something that I guess I’m emotionally attached to,” he said.
“I like Red Bull and I love the product and everything about it so to have those guys would have been a fantastic opportunity.
“I’m not sure that’s going to happen in 2009 but if it came up at some point I’d love to be part of it.”
He did confirm the energy drink company would stay on board as his personal sponsor.
“We’ve had a relationship for a few years now and it’s something that I love being part of and it’s something that those guys are interested in continuing so we will continue a strong relationship through ‘09 and beyond.”
Author:Briar Gunther
Source:BigPond Sport - copyright
