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Jack Perkins to contest Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series |
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Friday, 15 February 2008 |
Rising V8 star Jack Perkins will resume his motor racing career in the Fujitsu V8
Supercar development series after securing sponsorship from Mack Trucks Australia.
Perkins’ promising career was put on hold late last year when he was diagnosed with
type 1 diabetes, the then 20 year old standing down from his father, Bathurst legend
Larry Perkins’ Jack Daniel’s Racing team.
"It was becoming too difficult to manage my health privately and try race at the top
level, so I decided to stand down to concentrate on my health and consider the
future. Now I’m fit and healthy, on top of the diabetes and ready to go back racing,"
Perkins said.
Having voluntarily stepped aside, Perkins endured a difficult off-season not knowing
whether the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS) would re-issue his
racing licence. But following a series of doctor consultations and examinations,
Perkins received a positive decision from a fortnight ago.
“It was a pretty tough time not knowing whether I’d be able to race again, however
CAMS and my doctors were very helpful, and it’s great to be able to get back out
there and race.”
Perkins’ return was guaranteed with the signing of legendary truck brand Mack last
week.
Mack Trucks Australia Vice President, Gary Bone said supporting Jack Perkins’
comeback was an easy decision.
“Mack Trucks Australia has been a loyal supporter of Larry Perkins’ Jack Daniel’s
Racing team for many years and when the opportunity to increase our presence in
V8 Supercars by sponsoring Jack’s Fujitsu Series effort came up we jumped at it. We
are really looking forward to working with Jack and we’re excited about the year
ahead,” Bone said.
Perkins’ #500 Mack Trucks Holden VZ Commodore – the number 500 and MP8 500
signage on the car reflecting Mack’s new Eu4 emission compliant MP8 engine - will
be run by a ‘satellite’ Perkins team, respected engineer Marty Brant’s Independent
Race Cars Australia.
"Marty and his team have an excellent record of preparing race cars, while the car is
one I am familiar with. Our goal is to not only win races, but contend for the
championship,” Perkins said.
The seven round 2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series begins with next week’s Clipsal
500 event on the streets of Adelaide.
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