Kelly Racing drivers honoured in top 50 list

BARGWANNA AND TODD AND RICK KELLY HONOURED IN TOP 50 DRIVERS LIST

Kelly Racing drivers Todd and Rick Kelly and Jason Bargwanna have all been included in a list of the 50 greatest Australian Touring Car drivers.

Assembled by a judging panel to commemorate 50 years of the Australian Touring Car Championship, the three were all a part of the list released today ahead of this weekend's Norton 360 Sandown Challenge.

The Top 10 drivers on the list, in order, will be confirmed at a function at the Sandown circuit in Melbourne, Victoria on Saturday night.

Today the drivers filling positions 21 to 50 on the list were released in no particular order, with Bargwanna and the Kelly brothers listed amongst some of the greats of the sport.

Other drivers in the 21-50 bracket confirmed today were former Jack Daniel's Racing team owner Larry Perkins and legendary drivers such as Kevin Bartlett, Harry Firth and Fred Gibson.

2010 Kelly Racing endurance driver Glenn Seton will be confirmed tomorrow as one of the top 20 drivers on the list.

KELLY RACING QUOTEBOARD:

RICK KELLY - #15 Jack Daniel's Holden Commodore

"Todd, Bargs and I are all stoked to be on this list," said Rick Kelly.

"When you are working hard as a driver trying to win every race, you are not really thinking about where you rank in the scheme of things. You just look to your next race and think about how you can win it.

"You don't often sit back and think about how long you have been racing in the category or even where the current day drivers rank against some of the greats of the sport that came before us.

"It's a real buzz to be on that list and I'm really looking forward to seeing the top 10. There are so many drivers who have achieved a great deal in Australian touring car racing and it's great to acknowledge them.

"It is a massive thing to be mentioned in the same list as guys like Glenn Seton, who I really looked up to growing up and then got the opportunity to be team-mates with this year in the endurance events.

"I don't really compare myself to a lot of these guys because they are just massive legends of the sport. It's extremely humbling to be on the same list as them because I see them as being at another level."

TODD KELLY - #7 Jack Daniel's Holden Commodore

"I am very excited to see my name in the same group as some of the legends of the sport," said Todd Kelly.

"Rick and I have been following the sport since we were kids back home in Mildura, but there are many names on the list that are well before my time.

"You hear stories about these guys from other drivers and people involved in the sport when they tell you about 'the good old days'. I'm always keen to learn more about those names on the list that came well before I was even around.

"Recognising some of the greats of the sport adds interest to this event and shows us just how many fantastic drivers this sport has had over the years. I'm extremely humbled to be mentioned in the same list."

JASON BARGWANNA - #11 Rock Holden Commodore

"It's quite a humbling experience to be named as part of this list of drivers," said Jason Bargwanna.

"As a kid I grew up idolising these drivers. You would hunt around the back of the pits in your shorts and thongs looking for an autograph from these guys.

"I've got books of photos at home from when I got to meet the legends of the sport, so to be a part of this list is exciting and a massive privilege."

-source: kelly racing