V8SDS: Tony D'Alberto, 2007 V8 Fujitsu Supercar Champion

D'ALBERTO WINS FUJITSU SERIES

Tony D'Alberto was today crowned 2007 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series Champion after finishing 5th in the final race at Phillip Island.

The 21 year-old Victorian finished five series points ahead of Michael Caruso who won the final round today.

"We did what we had to this weekend," D'Alberto said.

"It is the perfect reward for everything that my team and family have put into my racing over many years."

The 2007 Series had many twists and turns for D'Alberto before he was able to secure it today.

It started with a strong performance at Adelaide's Clipsal 500 where he finished second before dominating Round 2 at Wakefield Park.

Winton saw D'Alberto rack up his second win in a row and he scored a podium at Queensland Raceway in Round 4.

At Oran Park the team was stripped of points scored on the Sunday for a technical error.

The team headed to Bathurst with a chance to win the series and Tony responded by qualifying fastest before a first corner clash ended his first race.

The second race saw D'Alberto drive his way back into the Series with a 28th to 6th performance that salvaged his lead.

Winning the Series would have to wait to the final round at Phillip Island where Tony was well aware of what was needed.

A first race incident almost looked to end his aspirations after he was fired into the wall by Dale Wood. A composed Tony once again saved his series by rejoining the race and salvaged 9th place.

Seventh or better in the final race would be enough to secure the Series and finishing fifth gave him the Series win.

"We really put in a big effort this year," Tony said.

"I had a full-time engineer for the first time and I worked in the team just to stay focused.

"Having Glenn Seton in the team really helped to keep me calm, because he has been there before.

"Every member of the team played an important role and without each of them we could not have achieved this today."

The team will now prepare for 2008 where Tony is hoping to make the step into the V8 Supercar Championship Series.

-credit: tonyd.com.au