AUS: Profile of the Round - James Cressey

After each round of the 2004 Australian Carrera Cup, we will profile one of the drivers who has performed exceptionally well in one of this year's Award Categories. These categories are being finalised and will be announced before Round 2.

After Round 1, the Profile of the Week goes to 20-year-old Gold Coast-based Kiwi James Cressey from Team VIP Petfoods. Cressey currently leads the Fuchs Hard Charger Award for the driver who passes the most number of cars over the season. Last year team mate Tony Quinn won this award but Cressey has shot off to an early lead, passing 13 cars over the three races.

This Friday James will also join Orrcon Racing V8 Supercar driver Mark Winterbottom at the Ipswich Hospital Foundation Charity Golf Day at Gailes Golf Club -- hoping his performance on the golf course matches his performance on the track.

Profile of The Round: James Cressey

Round 1 Wrap

In his first Carrera Cup championship outing, Cressey got off to a great start in the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide. He was fifth fastest in both practice sessions on Thursday in his 2004 Porsche GT3 911 with a best lap time of 1:27.7746. Unfortunately on his first lap of qualifying, the clutch on his number 2 Team VIP Petfoods car temporarily welded itself to the fly wheel and James decided not to risk continuing.

This placed him at the rear of the 17-car grid for race one. In a race that showcased his talent, Cressey moved from 17th to 7th. In race two, he continued his improvement placing fifth before claiming another place in race three to finish an encouraging fourth for the round. It was in race three that put smiles on his team crew's faces by cutting more than 1.5 seconds from his previous best lap time around the 3.22km circuit to set 1:25.7078 -- and less than half a second from the best lap time set by a Porsche GT3 911 over the weekend (Alex Davison -- 1:25.3801).

10 Questions With James Cressey

How did you get involved in motor racing?
Started karting at eight years of age and kept moving up through the ranks.

What was your first race?
A Club Day at the Mount Wellington Kart Club track in Auckland in 1993.

And first race car?
'86 Van Diemen Formula Ford

What do you like most about the Carrera Cup?
There are some very strong drivers in this great series, very little politics involved, and it is potentially a good launching pad for young drivers.

What is your favourite circuit or race?
I find something to like about all tracks. I like pushing the car to the limit at every track.

What is your most memorable racing moment?
Qualifying on pole at Ruapuna in 2000/2001 NZ Formula Ford season, and driving across the line to win the NZ Formula Ford Championship that year -- there is no better feeling.

Describe your first ever job?
Labouring for Charlton Brick Layers.

What are your superstitions or routines before a race?
I don't have any -- just so there is nothing that can psyche me out before a race.

Who is your biggest racing rivalry with?
Whoever is fastest on the day.

What is something few people know about you?
Love the water - spend as much time in it as possible. I've lived by the water for quite a few years now -- I love jet skiing and kayaking.

Personal Background

Car Number - 2
Team - Team VIP Petfoods
Date of Birth - February 25, 1984
Birthplace - Auckland, New Zealand
Residence -- Surfers Paradise, QLD
Height - 170cm
Weight - 60kg
Interests - Motor racing, Jet Skiing, Surfing, Wakeboarding
Car Major Sponsor - VIP Petfoods
Associate Sponsors -- Zarraffas Coffee, Wynns NZ, TimberWorld

Racing Career - Started Karting in New Zealand in 1992. First major win was in the 1994 North Island Midget class. Won 1996 North Island title. Won 1997 New Zealand title. Won 1998 Junior Yamaha class and NZ Sprint and Dirt titles. Won NZ Formula Ford Class 2 title in 1998/99 at age 14. Third in 1999 NZ Formula Ford Festival (Class 1). Won 2000/01 NZ Formula Ford series at age 16. Third in final race of 2001 Australian Formula 3 series. Fourth overall in 2002 Australian Formula 3 series. Third in 2003 Australian Formula 3 series.

Progression - Karts; Formula Ford; Formula 3; Carrera Cup

Highlights - Winning 2000/01 NZ Formula Ford Championship. With that title came the Steel Trophy for the best performance by an under 21-year-old, the Denny Hulme Trophy for the best performance by a member of the Auckland Car Club and the inaugural MotorSport NZ/Bruce McLaren Trust Bruce McLaren Scholarship.

-cupcar.au-