Touring CarsV8 Supercars

Jack Daniel’s Racing Confirms Endurance Driver Line-Up

2 Mins read
Tim Blanchard and David Russell join the Jack Daniel's Racing Endurance Line-Up Photo Credit: Kelly Racing

Tim Blanchard and David Russell join the Jack Daniel's Racing Endurance Line-Up Photo Credit: Kelly Racing

Jack Daniel's Racing has confirmed that Tim Blanchard and David Russell will join regular drivers Todd Kelly and Rick Kelly for this year's Sandown 500 and Bathurst 1000 endurance races.

Russell currently driving in the Dunlop V8 Series with Kelly Racing’s Dreamtime Racing will share the #15 entry with Rick Kelly, while Blanchard who races with MW Motorsport in the same series will partner Todd Kelly in the #7 car.

Both drivers were a part of Kelly Racing's endurance squad last year, with Russell having co-driven Todd Kelly, while Blanchard teamed up with former driver David Reynolds in the #16 Kelly Racing entry.

Russell also replaced the injured Greg Murphy aboard Kelly Racing's #51 Pepsi Max Crew Holden Commodore in Tasmania earlier this year.

“It’s great to be back in the JD garage that is for sure,” said Russell.

“It’s good to have that continuity. I have been in the cars before, but obviously a switch this year to partner Rick which is something I am relishing.

“I get a feel for the car as there has been some changes since Bathurst last year and the guys have been working on some developments, so I’m really looking forward to this weekend at Phillip Island.”

Rick Kelly believes that this stability is the key to success and is pleased to have Russell on the team again.

“He knows us very well and knows the equipment as well,” said Rick Kelly.

“It’s very important in the endurance races to have a driver that is either doing the Dunlop Series or doing a lot of racing.

“We’re confident that it’s a pairing that is a very strong one and a combination that can win the endurance races.”

Both drivers are taking part in the designated co-drivers’ only practice session today ahead this weekend’s V8 Supercars Championship event at Phillip island.

“It’s just fantastic to be in the same organisation for two years in a row and gives everyone some continuity,” said Blanchard.

“To be representing a brand like Jack Daniel’s is a great opportunity for me.

“This weekend is all about getting a base setup for Todd to use for the rest of the meeting.

“It also gives me the opportunity to get used to driving one of the Kelly Racing cars against a full field of V8s.”

Speaking about teaming up with Blanchard, Todd Kelly said: “I’m rapt to have Tim Blanchard on-board this year. He did a great job for our Kelly Racing operation last year and really surprised us with not only his pace, but also his consistency and most importantly in endurance racing, his reliability and how he looked after the car.

“It will be good to get him in my car this weekend for at least two practice sessions and for me to really sit back and watch how he goes about it.

“I’m sure he will offer plenty for us later in the year, but also this weekend he will add to our efforts in getting the car dialled in for the Phillip Island races.”

170 posts

About author
Andy is our resident V8 Supercars reporter. He also runs the V8 Supercars fan site www.v8scglobal.com and works as a freelance motorsport writer (with experience in both the World and British Touring Car Championships). You can find him on Twitter at @andychampness or contact him via his website www.andychampness.co.uk
Articles
Related posts
Off RoadV8 Supercars

Craig Lowndes returning to off-road racing with Finke Desert Race debut

2 Mins read
After a Prologue one-off in 2021, Supercars legend Craig Lowndes will enter the Finke Desert Race for real in June in a special Chevrolet Silverado ZR2.
NASCAR Cup SeriesV8 Supercars

Brodie Kostecki set for NASCAR debut at IMS with RCR

2 Mins read
Brodie Kostecki, currently second in the Supercars Championship, will be the next driver from his day job to race in NASCAR as he joins RIchard Childress Racing at Indy.
BTCCTouring Cars

Rowbottom rounds out superb weekend for NAPA Racing UK with second career win at Thruxton

2 Mins read
Dan Rowbottom has sealed a second career BTCC win with NAPA Racing UK having a dominant weekend at Thruxton leading home Adam Morgan and Aiden Moffat.