[RaceTime]

John Faulkner Racing To Run Development Team


Over the past few years, the average age of the leading drivers in the V8 Supercar category has been lowered quite dramatically. In 1995, the average age of the Top 10 Championship drivers was 40 years old and yet by the end of the 2002 season, it was down to 29.


The Holden Racing Team was instrumental in pushing for the introduction of youth with firstly Craig Lowndes and the subsequent establishment of the Holden Young Lions program. This has resulted in across the board opportunities for new talent in many teams and helped bring a younger and growing audience to the sport in Australia.


However, the Team recognises the continuing need to develop future V8 Supercar drivers so it has joined forces with John Faulkner Racing for Faulkner to run the HRT "Young Guns" program in the Konica Series.


Faulkner recently announced his retirement from driving and building cars at the highest level and, has contracted TWR to prepare and run the Kmart Racing Team under his Level 1 franchise. John and his family will shortly re-locate to the Gold Coast and will now establish a race preparation facility, take out a Level 3 V8 Supercar franchise and prepare VX Commodores for racing in the Konica Series.


Faulkner will use the Commodore he raced during this season for the program and will receive technical support from HRT to ensure it is as well prepared as possible for the driver or drivers to compete in the Series.


"It's vital that we have some sort of 'feeder' system to ensure we keep drivers coming through the ranks as the V8 Supercars continue to grow." Faulkner said.


"What we're trying to do is be the 'primary school for HRT and Holden Motorsport and give a chance to young drivers - or drivers who haven't had the same opportunity as others due to a lack of funds."


Over the next few months, HRT and John Faulkner racing will seek out and confirm appropriate sponsors and drivers for the HRT "Young Guns" program and announce further details prior to the start of the 2003 season.