IRWIN Tools and Stone Brothers Racing have unveiled the #4 Ford Falcon that Alex Davison will drive in the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series.
The 2010 colour scheme aligns with the all-new IRWIN Tools logo, which has also been released today.
2010 marks the second year of IRWIN with Stone Brothers Racing and Alex Davison in the driver's seat.
Davison finished the 2009 season in 17th position, including an outstanding second place finish at the Hidden Valley round in Darwin.
The vastly experienced Davison is setting his sights on scoring those types of results on a regular basis in 2010. One of the key areas he will focus his efforts is qualifying.
Stone Brothers Racing has reorganised its operations in an effort to return to the front of the V8 Supercar field. Part of this reorganisation is moving team manager David Stuart to the race engineering duties on the IRWIN Racing Ford. Stuart's experience in the V8 Series dates back to 2000 and has been on the SBR staff since 2007.
In the Stone Brothers Racing race shop, the IRWIN Racing Falcon will be positioned alongside both the Shane van Gisbergen #9 entry and the new #47 Ford Tim Slade. The same will go for the pit lane where all three cars will be grouped together. This is sure to provide a far more effective work environment for the crew and better performances from the team.
Despite the final race of 2009 being completed run just under two months ago, preparations for the 2010 season have gone to plan with the IRWIN Racing Ford set to hit the track for pre-season testing on Tuesday 9 February at Queensland Raceway. The V8 Supercar Championship Series then gets underway with back-to-back weekends in the Middle East beginning in Abu Dhabi on 18-20 February.
Alex Davison - Driver #4 IRWIN Racing Ford Falcon Quotes:
"Last year the IRWIN Racing team showed that we can be right on the pace, but we have to do that more consistently in 2010. We took a good look at ourselves at the end of 2009 and have really focussed on improving things across the board. This year the IRWIN Racing team has the experience of a full season with myself and the FG Falcon, so we are keen to show that with performances on the track. I'm really looking forward to working with David Stuart. He did some great things with Jason Bright in the second half of last year and I worked with him during the long distance races a few years back at Dick Johnson Racing. We are both very driven people and have become good friends, so together we are looking at going to the next level. My goals this year include qualifying consistently in the top-10. The IRWIN Racing team's best overall results last year came from weekends when we started towards the front. I believe our race pace will also improve and that will bring better results and a championship position inside the top-10."
Ross Stone - Team Director IRWIN Racing Quotes:
"I have been very pleased with our preparation heading into the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series. The IRWIN Racing team is ready for the first test in February and we want to hit the track running from the opening practice session in Abu Dhabi. I know that Alex has a lot of experience in different categories, but last year really was his rookie year in the V8s. We are sure he will use that experience to really put some solid results on the board in 2010. David Stuart will continue to act as our team manager, but also take-on the race engineering duties on the IRWIN Racing Ford. We have changed our set-up in the workshop with the IRWIN Racing Falcon, as well as our other two Stone Brothers Racing entries all working closer together under David's leadership. At race meetings the three cars will all be together, with David overseeing things, and ensuring Alex is looked after on the track. Our goal for Alex in the championship is top-12, which might sound conservative. I know that our machinery is good and his ability behind the wheel is right up there, but this is a very tough series."
David Stuart - Race Engineer IRWIN Racing Quotes:
"My job is to make sure we get the best out of the entire IRWIN Racing group in 2010. Alex is a very talented driver and with some improved machinery, I'm very keen to turn that into results. We will be far more effective in the workshop and at the track with all three groups working in a cohesive unit. Last year this was not the case with one of the Stone Brothers Racing cars at the other end of the pits. I have to say that the new way of doing things has worked really well and the feeling of excitement this year is right up there. We are keen for that to continue the entire season."
2010 V8 SUPERCARS CALANDER
February 18 – 20 Yas Marina Circuit - Abu Dhabi
February 25 – 27 Desert 400 - Bahrain
March 11 – 14 Clipsal 500 - Adelaide Parklands
March 26 – 28 Australian Grand Prix - Albert Park
April 16 – 18 Hamilton 400 - NZ
April 30 – May 2 Qld Raceway - Ipswich
May 14 – 16 Winton - Victoria
June 4 – 6 Barbagallo - Perth
June 18 – 20 Hidden Valley - Darwin
July 9 – 11 Townsville 400 - QLD
MID SEASON CHAMPIONSHIP BREAK
September 10 – 12 Phillip Island - VIC
October 7 – 10 Bathurst 1000 - Mt Panorama
October 21 – 24 SuperGP - Surfers Paradise
November 12-14 Tasmania Challenge - Symmons Plains
November 19 – 21 Sandown Challenge - Victoria
December 3 – 5 Sydney Telstra 500 - Homebush
What is IRWIN Tools?
IRWIN Tools manufactures and distributes professional grade hand tools and power tool accessories worldwide for trade professionals who demand superior performance and durability on the job.
IRWIN Tools' brand portfolio features user-preferred category leaders such as IRWIN®, Vise-Grip®, Marathon®, Quick-Grip®, Speedbor®, Strait-Line®, Unibit®, and Hanson®.
For over a century, innovation has been the hallmark of IRWIN Tools. Beginning in 1885, with the development of the first IRWIN Auger Bit, and progressing with the introduction of Vise-Grip Locking Tools, SPEEDBOR Flat Bits, MARATHON Saw Blades, and QUICK-GRIP Bar Clamps, IRWIN has been at the forefront of the industry, creating superior tools for the professional tradesman.
This impressive track record of new product development is born from the passion for understanding the needs of the primary user - the professional tradesman.
What is Stone Brothers Racing?
Formed in 1998 by Jimmy and Ross Stone, Stone Brothers Racing is one of Australia's most successful motor sports operations. Running exclusively Ford Falcons, Stone Brothers Racing has won V8 Supercar Championship Series titles in 2003 and '04 with Marcos Ambrose, as well as the 2005 championship with Russell Ingall. It has also won numerous team and other industry awards.
Prior to forming Stone Brothers Racing, both Jimmy and Ross worked extensively in motor sports in their native New Zealand and other overseas championships. Jimmy and Ross were charged with the running of Dick Johnson Racing when the V8 Supercar era started in 1993. By 1994 they had won the title with John Bowe as well as a thrilling victory at Bathurst for Johnson and Bowe. After establishing their own team in 1998, Stone Brothers Racing won the Bathurst 1000 that same year with Jason Bright and Steven Richards.
Based at their Yatala (Queensland) race shop since 1999; Stone Brothers Racing is one of only two operations to have the backing from the Ford Motor Company. Stone Brothers Racing campaigns the #4 IRWIN Racing FG Ford Falcon of Alex Davison, the #9 SP-Tools Racing FG of Shane van Gisbergen and the #47 Wilson Security Racing Ford of Tim Slade in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Who is Alex Davison?
Alex Davison is entering his second full season aboard the IRWIN Racing Ford from Stone Brothers Racing. The highlight of 2009 was second place in the Sunday race at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway. Alex is signed through to the end of the 2011 season, aligning with the commitments from IRWIN Tools and the Ford Motor Company with Stone Brothers Racing.
Despite being just 30-years-old, Alex has gained a reputation for being one of the most experienced drivers across a wide range of motor racing categories. As a junior he enjoyed a successful career on the Australian karting scene before finishing second in the 1999 Australian Formula Ford Championship. Alex has raced in the Europe and the US with Porsche in Carrera Cup competitions. He won events at the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hockenheim and Sachsenring circuits, and visited the podium at Monza, Nurburgring and Hungaroring.
In Australia he finished second in the 2006 and '07 Australian Carrera Cup championships. His achievements made him one of the most sort after endurance drivers in V8 Supercars where he impressed with Top-10 finishes at Bathurst partnered with rookie drivers.
Alex's trophy cabinet includes the Porsche Trophy as the best privateer performer aboard a Porsche anywhere in the world. The Bruce McLaren Trophy as the Commonwealth driver with the most-meritorious international racing achievements.
