Stone Brothers Racing to announce 2003 driver, car

Stone Brothers Racing set to unveil driver and car on New Year's Eve.

Australia's leading Ford V8 Supercar team, Stone Brothers Racing, will officially announce the new driver of its Caltex Havoline Falcon at one minute past midnight on New Years Eve.

The announcement is expected to be one of the biggest in Australian motorsport for sometime and will put another piece of the V8 Supercar "silly season" jigsaw in place.

Restricted by contractual obligations, SBR is taking the first possible opportunity to tell the world about its newest signing through the team's website www.stonebrothersracing.com.au

The team will also be the first to unveil its new 2003 BA Falcon colour scheme as the clock strikes 12:00.01 Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (11pm in Queensland) on the dawn of a new year and a new era for Ford and the V8 Supercar Series.

Caltex is delighted to continue its association with Stone Brothers Racing through its Havoline engine oil brand and the company's new deal with the team will also be revealed world-wide in the unique internet launch.

The new driver and his car will be formerly introduced to the media on New Year's Day in a special luncheon at Sanctuary Cove, on Queensland's Gold Coast.

"We wanted to tell everyone as soon as legally possible about the signing -- hence the 12:01 announcement," said Caltex Brand Manager Lubricants, Steve Wruck.

"Our new driver is a fantastic competitor and we look forward to sharing great success with him in the future."

SBR co-owner Ross Stone believes January 1 cannot come fast enough.

"There has been plenty of speculation, but the fans will finally get the chance to see our new driver and car on January 1, 2003," said Ross Stone.

"We believe he will be a great asset for our team as we head into the new season with a brand new BA Ford race car and championship aspirations.

"We are also delighted to be in a position to announce some major new sponsorship partners in the coming days.

"We do not want to muck around. Let's get everything out there and get on with the business of winning races."

The V8 Supercars will compete in support races at the Foster's Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park from March 7-9.

The first round of the 2003 championship will be the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide from March 17-20.

-sbr-