Kelly Racing Winton test summary

KELLY RACING RECOGNISES TEAM MEMBERS AT WINTON TEST DAY

New four-car V8 Supercar outfit Kelly Racing has said a big 'thank you' to its hard-working team members at the first official test day of the 2009 season at Winton Motor Raceway in rural Victoria today.

The names of 42 Kelly Racing crew members adorned the interim testing livery on the #16 Holden Commodore of rookie driver Dale Wood as a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the new operation's staff over the off-season.

The sponsors of the #16 entry were happy to allow the team to run with the sign of appreciation on the side of Wood's Holden Commodore for the day. Major sponsorship and a new livery for Wood's entry will be unveiled at the opening round of the series at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide in two weeks time.

Establishing the new four-car team and it's new workshop in Braeside, Melbourne over the past few months has been a mammoth effort, leading team co-owners Todd and Rick Kelly to recognise the efforts of the crew at the team's first official test.

The Winton test day was the first time that all four of the team's car hit the track for serious testing head of the Kelly Racing's first year in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in 2009.

Brothers Todd and Rick Kelly also piloted their two brand new Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodores at Winton today, ahead of their race debut at the Clipsal 500. Both cars completed limited laps on a shakedown test day afforded to new cars last Tuesday at Winton.

"Our crew has continually gone above and beyond the call of duty over summer ensuring everything is in place for this first official test of the season," said Rick Kelly.

"In a short amount of time as a group we have opened a brand new facility in Braeside, built two brand new Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodores and we have five complete V8 Supercars in the shop looking superb and ready for the season ahead.

"As our team's sign writers are also drivers, with myself, Jack (Perkins) and Dale (Wood) doing all of the sticker work, it was a good way for us to do something extra for the team as a token of our appreciation for everything they have done."

Todd Kelly agreed with his brother's sentiments regarding the hard working crew.

"This is a very special time for everyone involved in Kelly Racing," said Todd Kelly.

"It's a proud day to roll out two brand new Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodores and be on the verge of the first event for Kelly Racing in Adelaide.

"But it was also important to acknowledge what an amazing group of staff we have here and show each and every one of them just how much we appreciate all of their efforts.

"The images we get of Dale's #16 car will be around for many years to come and be a sign of all the hard work that has gone into this race team over the past few months."

Dale Wood said that he was pleased to be able to drive his #16 car at Winton today with the testing livery, giving something back to the dedicated team at Kelly Racing.

"The management at Kelly Racing wanted to put out a thankyou for all the boys," said Dale Wood.

"They've been working around the clock so this was a good opportunity to say thanks for all the work.

"I hope it gives everyone a good feeling and things are going to be great this year for Kelly Racing."

Jack Daniel's Racing will debut two brand new Holden Commodore race cars at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 19-22.

The Clipsal 500 will also be the debut event for Kelly Racing and see Jack Perkins campaign the #11 Dodo Holden Commodore and Dale Wood in the #16 entry, which will have its sponsorship and livery unveiled in Adelaide.

TESTING QUOTES:

Jack Perkins - #11 Dodo Racing Holden Commodore

"In the end we achieved what we needed to achieve and it was a good day," said Dale Wood.

"We've been able to do a good time on second-hand tyres, which is comparable to what Todd and Rick and the other guys have been doing.

"So we are pretty happy with our pace and we're not here to set any records. We'll save our new tyres for later in the year.

"It was good, a bit like going to footy training with a new bunch of guys for the first time.

'We all worked well together and made sure that everything is all ready for Clipsal.

"Things like having the seat (position) sorted and all those details kind of things are important.

"I'm really looking forward to Clipsal. It's been a good track for me, as has Winton, and today was a really good day and I think the car will be very good at Clipsal.

"So I can't wait to get the #11 Dodo Commodore out on the track on Friday in Adelaide in two weeks time."

Dale Wood - #16 Kelly Racing Holden Commodore

"It's been a really good day and it's good to start to get to know the boys a bit better and work as part of the team," said Dale Wood.

"The team is absolutely brilliant. I've only ever really driven for one other V8 Supercar team before this season, but to drive this car has been great.

"We had an engine issue today but of course we would much rather iron out all these issues now rather than at Clipsal."

-credit: kellyracing.com.au