Gaunt to race in 2009 V8 Supercar Development series

Auckland based Daniel Gaunt (23) has signed to race in the Australian V8 Supercar Development Series starting in March with McElrea Racing.

 

A seven round championship contested alongside the main V8 Supercar game, Gaunt has been signed following negotiations with Andy McElrea, supported by Stone Brothers Racing’s Jimmy and Ross Stone.

 

Driving the Ford Falcon previously campaigned by Shane Van Gisbergen, Gaunt, a two-time winner of the Toyota Racing Series, says this has been what he has been working toward since he left the single-seater category.

 

“Since entering in to touring cars it has been a dream to one day drive V8 Supercars.  We’ve got a great team with a good car and engine – so it will be a competitive package,” announced Gaunt.  “And it was through the support of Triple X Motorsport that brought this deal together.”

 

Moving to the V8 Supercar scene, ex-pat Kiwi McElrea says both he and Gaunt are in great company with support from Stone Brothers Racing (SBR):

 

“We’ve had to graduate to V8 Supercars and with the opportunity to get good gear at the right time has come from SBR.  I’m leasing their car and Development Series transporter plus a technical and supply agreement with SBR,” said McElrea, a former New Zealand Formula Ford and TraNZam champion.

 

 “Being new we are obviously an under-dog.  Gaunt’s a young guy and I don’t think I could have got a better driver fit for what we are.   He is well aware it’s a golden opportunity and knows it’s his best shot at making it as a professional over here.  Plus we have quite a few Kiwis’ in our line-up so I think he is going to fit in very well, particularly in light of our team and some of the management of Triple X Motorsport knowing each other so well - our philosophies are similar.”

 

Having completed a test with Stone Brothers Racing in 2008, co-owner Ross Stone said Gaunt’s performance topped his preferred list:  “I’ve kept an eye on Daniel’s racing.  When we ran him in a driver evaluation test he was really impressive.  He knew what he wanted – it left a good impression on us, to the extent that if he does this programme he’s on a list that I’d like to have as him as a co-driver in the endurance races for us,” described Stone of the upcoming opportunities to race with SBR in the Phillip Island and Bathurst V8 Supercar events.

 

Preparing for his Australian campaign, Gaunt says he has been fitness training every day:  “It’s the last thing you want to be letting you down, so it’s important to be as fit as possible.  Plus racing in the Triple X Motorsport Beef and Lamb – Radio Sport – Trinity Media Group 997 Porsche, you get race fit, which is of benefit compared to some of the Australian guys who haven’t raced for the last few months.”

 

Gaunt has 25 days until the first round, the Cipsal 500 Adelaide street circuit, where he will begin his trans-Tasman V8 race commuting.

 

Ends.

 

Calendar: 2009 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series

 

1 19 - 22 March Clipsal 500 Clipsal 500

2 01 - 3 May Winton Motor Raceway  

3 10 - 12 July Townsville 400 

4 31 - July - 2 August Sandown 400  

5 21 - 23 August Queensland Raceway 

6 08 - 11 October Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 

7 04 - 6 December Sydney 400, Homebush