|
Tributes Pour In For Record Setting Skaife |
|
|
|
|
Written by www.holdenmotorsport.com
|
Legendary racing driver Jim Richards has congratulated the Holden Racing Team’s Mark Skaife on breaking one of Australian motorsport’s enduring milestones, his 38th round victory breaking the late Peter Brock’s record of 37 career Australian Touring Car Championship victories.
Skaife’s 38th career victory establishes him as arguably the most successful and prolific touring car driver in Australian motorsport, in a career that has included five Australian Touring Car Championships and five Bathurst 1000 victories.
Richards, recently retired from V8 ranks, holds the record for most Bathurst starts (35) and shared three of Skaife’s Bathurst 1000 victories.
A close friend, Richards said the milestone came as no surprise to him.
“When I first saw him drive I realised straight away that he was going to be a champion and basically do anything he wanted in the sport,” Richards said.
“It was evident to me that his skills surpassed all the drivers that had gone before him, and he was in a more competitive era than ever before.
“I looked at and judged him on my own speed and level of competitiveness at the time and based on that I knew he was going to be something special.
“I’m rapt for him that he has achieved this sort of milestone.”
GM Holden Managing Director Denny Mooney, representing the major sponsor of the Holden Racing Team, said Skaife’s achievements and milestones were a great advertisement for the company.
“I would like to congratulate Mark on behalf of all GM Holden’s employees for providing us with a great deal of inspiration and entertainment, and express our sincere thanks to all at the Holden Racing Team for the remarkable success and longevity in a business that, like the car industry, is highly competitive,” Mooney said.
“There is a direct link between success on the racetrack and success in the showroom, and there is also documented evidence of an increase in productivity around the company after a Holden win on the weekend. Mark and his team continue to capture the hearts and minds not only of our employees but of our customers as well.”
Greg Smith, director of long-time Holden Racing Team sponsor Mobil Oil Australia, also commended Skaife’s achievement.
“We congratulate Mark on this exceptional milestone and are proud to have partnered with Mark and his team over the last 11 years,” Smith said.
“Mark and his team provide a test bed that proves the performance of Mobil 1 performance oil for all cars. More and more people today are following the lead of the Holden Racing Team and putting their trust in fully Synthetic Mobil 1 to protect their automotive assets.
“Good luck to Mark for the rest of the season.”
Current Holden Racing Team team-mate, Todd Kelly paid tribute to Skaife and said he had provided a consistently high standard for him to aspire to.
“Skaifey’s one of those guys who you just know always gives 110 per cent, no matter what, and you just want to get to that same level of dedication and performance,” Kelly said.
“In this sport they always say that the first person you have to beat is your team-mate, so it’s a good yardstick for your own performance to directly compare yourself to the most successful drive in championship history.
“I want to personally congratulate and thank him for the input he has had into my career. For him to have won more rounds than Peter Brock or anyone else is an incredible achievement.”
V8 Supercars Australia Chairman Tony Cochrane said that Skaife’s milestone was testimony to his position within the category as a leader both on and off the circuit.
“This is an outstanding feat and one of the greatest milestones in Australian sporting history,” Cochrane said.
“Who would have thought that the all-time record of the great Peter Brock would have been broken and for Mark to achieve the feat is very fitting.
“Mark is a superb Champion on and off the track, a wonderful ambassador for our sport. We should applaud him as arguable the best touring car driver in history. I commend him on his career and lifetime of achievement.”
Holden Special Vehicles Chairman John Crennan said Skaife’s milestone came at an opportune time for both HRT and HSV.
“His lead-from-the-front style is a credit to both him and his team’s hard work and determination to maintain their mantle as Australia’s most successful race outfit,” Crennan said. |
