Montagny partners with Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing for Gold Coast event

Autograph session: Franck Montagny

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing announced today that Franck Montagny will partner Karl Reindler during the Armor All 600 on the Gold Coast from October 19 - 21.

Franck Montagny is a World Series by Nissan Champion, completed a short stint in Formula One with Super Aguri and spent a number of years as a test driver for Renault F1 when they were World Champions and then with Toyota F1. More recently Franck has raced in the American Le Mans Series and has run the Le Mans 24 Hours 11 times, finishing 2nd overall twice in his career.

Montagny has proven race credentials behind the wheel and his experience is far beyond open wheeler racing making the shift to V8 Supercar racing that little bit easier.

Upon confirming the Franck Montagny announcement Kelly Racing Director Rick Kelly said, "Franck is a terrific signing for Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing. His talent behind the wheel in unquestionable and will no doubt adjust quickly to the demands of driving a V8 Supercar and support Karl well on the Gold Coast."

"V8 Supercars are difficult cars to drive and having experience beyond open wheeler's is an asset."

"The category has done an excellent job of attracting profile drivers to the event and to secure Franck in our team is very pleasing and look forward to also working alongside him."

Talking of his signing Montagny said, "I am grateful to Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing for the opportunity to come and race on the Gold Coast. I'm truly excited to go there and to attend this race! It's pretty different to what I used to do so it's a new challenge, everything will be brand new for me: a new category, a new team, a new team mate, a new track... This could sound a little bit stressful but actually that's exactly the kind of challenges I like!

"From my experience, you don't know someone from what you can read in the newspaper. So I don't know much about Karl but I'll try my best to learn from him and the team as quickly as possible so we can be efficient on track together because this is what really matters. And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the team for their trust. For sure I'll have a lot to learn but I'm really looking forward and as usual, I'll do everything I can to get used to the car and match the team's expectations."

Franck talking about coming to Australia, "I've been to Australia several times for the F1 GPs but I only had the chance once to spend a few more days and I really enjoyed being Down Under! There are obviously loads of amazing things to see considering how huge your country is but what I appreciate the most for sure is the people and the fact they're so laid back! I think I could get used to the Australian way of life pretty easily."

Karl Reindler is preparing to brush up on his French for the weekend with both his Engineer, Mathieu Galoche and Montagna originally from France.

"Being outnumbered will need to enroll in French classes before the weekend just so I can keep track of what is going on!" Karl said.

"I'm really excited to partner with Franck. He has a wealth of experience and am sure this will position him well to settling in and understanding our cars."

Source: Kelly Racing