New Home: Russell Ingall joins Walkinshaw Racing for 2012.
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6:00 AM Thu 12 January, 2012
Source: BigPond Sport
HE’S joining the old enemy and linking up with Walkinshaw Racing for this season, but keeping the same Supercheap Auto Racing war paint.
So can Russell Ingall have the sort of year in 2012 that will keep him as a full-time V8 Supercars Championship driver next year?
The 2005 champ – and plenty of V8 Supercar fans – sure hope so!
We had a download with Ingall to talk about 2011 and what awaits this year …
2011 Championship Position: 20th
Best Race Result: 5th (Hidden Valley, Sydney)
Best Qualifying: 9th (Queensland Raceway)
What is your highlight of 2011?
Doing a deal to keep me in the game for another year!
What is your funniest moment from 2011?
Tipping out James Courtney on the last lap at Queensland Raceway – when I was about to sign the deal with Walkinshaw Racing for next year! Tipping out the new team’s car – quite a laugh!
Is it ironic you are teaming up with the team you used to hate?
Yeah, I’m finally with a team that I hated for years! I hated a few of its drivers along the way too!
As the old saying goes, if you can’t beat them, join them! I did hate them because they did cost me a few championships along the way when I was runner-up to them. They were a damn good team then, they’re a damn good team now. I’m really looking forward to it. Roll on 2012.
You’ll rack up your 500th V8 Supercars Championship race this year and there are plenty of people who say you’re past it. You clearly disagree.
You always get plus and minuses with this sport and you have to make way for the younger talent to come through in years to come. But don’t brush the old guys off just yet. Murph’s still out there and had one of his better years and it’s amazing what a change of atmosphere will do.
I’m not out there to make up the numbers. If next year doesn’t go to plan we’ll open the door up to someone else. This sport is about personalities as well – it always has been over the years – and there’s been a hole after some of the legends like Johnson and Brock.
I hate to use the F1 drivers as an example, but let’s face it, they aren’t the most charismatic people in the world. We can’t afford that in our sport. If you’ve got something to say, get it out there and say it. Let’s not try and be too Hollywood about it – some of our younger guys have got to take that into consideration.
