Shannons Supercar Showdown Coming on 7Mate

SYDNEY – June 24, 2011: A revolution in motorsport television will launch on 7Mate on July 23.

One of Australia’s hottest race teams – Kelly Racing – is throwing open its doors to allow TV cameras behind the scenes, while also embarking on a global search to find the next young gun driver to join their ranks.

And the rookie’s first assignment? To compete for the team in the country’s most famous motorsport event, The Bathurst 1000!

For the first time in V8 Supercar history, the cameras will enter the inner sanctum of a race team for a full season. Supercar fans will follow all the drama and excitement as the team chases vital championship points.

Hosted by Grant Denyer, Shannons Supercar Showdown joins Kelly Racing as Rick & Todd Kelly, Greg Murphy and David Reynolds battle the 2011 V8 Supercar Series. Race fans will meet the people behind the scenes critical to the success of a motorsport race team from engineers and mechanics to designers, dieticians and personal trainers.

Local and International hopefuls, including three female drivers, will also descend on Kelly Racing’s HQ to take part in this world-first event. For the winner, a seat on the starting grid at the legendary Bathurst 1000 beckons, where they will co-drive a Kelly Racing prepared V8 Supercar with Series host, Grant Denyer.

Ten of the hottest up-and-coming drivers from Australia and across the globe will compete for the coveted spot, as they eat, sleep and train with Kelly Racing and learn everything there is to know about becoming a champion driver.

Over the Series they will be eliminated one by one until only the best of the best is left standing.

Announcing the initiative, Shannons National Marketing Manager, Mark Behr, said the Supercar Showdown was the perfect platform to demonstrate Shannons commitment to motoring enthusiasts.

“In addition to supporting over 800 motoring enthusiast events Australia-wide, Shannons is proud to be a part of a pioneering endeavour that will showcase driving talent and potentially, discover a future V8 Supercar star,” he said.

Each of the 10 contestants will drive a track-prepared Renault RS Megane 250 hot-hatch, before graduating to the Shannons V8 Supercar as part of the Series format.

Team Owner, Rick Kelly said: the series would showcase Kelly Racing as the benchmark team on and off the track.

“We take our role as Team Owners seriously and are keen to encourage the development of new talent into our sport through marketing innovation, he said.

“The scale of this project has been enormous and we are proud to be working with Shannons to make it happen.”

The Shannons Supercar Showdown will launch Saturday afternoon, July 23 on 7 Mate.