2010 Fujitsu Series champ Steve Owen unveils his new colours
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By Paul Morris Motorsport 3:19 PM Tue 21 December, 2010
Source: V8 Supercars Australia
Christmas has arrived early for Steve Owen, announced as the driver of the VIP Petfoods-backed Paul Morris Motorsports Commodore for the 2011 V8 Supercar Championship Series.
The VIP Petfoods Commodore was unveiled at the company’s Yatala headquarters this morning.
Owen is excited by the opportunity and looking forward to being back in the main game next season.
“This is my biggest opportunity to forge a career at the top level so I’m going to grasp it with both hands and give it a damn good shake,” Owen said.
“They have good equipment and good people so I’m really looking forward to working with them.
“I can’t thank Paul Morris, Tony Quinn and the people at VIP Petfoods enough for allowing me this opportunity.”
VIP Petfoods Managing Director Tony Quinn said the timing was right for his company to return to the top level of Australian motorsport.
“We’ve known Paul for a long time, he’s a good operator and VIP Petfoods are very proud to be sponsoring one of his cars,” Quinn said.
“Our aim is to build and strengthen our brand and re-entering V8 Supercars at this point in time makes very good business sense for us and our long term objectives.”
Owen is the newly crowned Fujitsu V8 Supercar series champion and partnered TeamVodafone star Jamie Whincup in the three endurance events this year, finishing second in Australia’s great race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, before winning the Armor All Gold Coast 600.
“We looked at a number of drivers but having recent experience with a top level team definitely helped Steve’s case,” said Morris.
“We expect him to be up front and fighting for race wins when we get stuck into the 2011 season.”
Owen’s first outing in the VIP Petfoods Commodore will be at the official V8 Supercars pre-season test day at Sydney’s Eastern Creek Raceway on January 29, while the season proper begins in Abu Dhabi at the Yas Marina circuit on February 12 – 14.
