AMBROSE RETURNS AS CREW CHIEF

Marcos Ambrose returns as Crew Chief – Image: LAT

Two-time V8 Supercars champion Marcos Ambrose will transition into the role of crew chief when the Trans Am National Series begins in Tasmania next month.

By HEATH McALPINE

The Tasmanian local will guide former Supercars co-driving regular and NASCAR competitor Owen Kelly for the two events at Symmons Plains and the Trans Am Ten Thousand at Baskerville where the winner will be awarded $10,000.

Both competed in various levels of NASCAR during the past 15 years, but it will be Kelly’s debut in the Trans Am class.

“The Trans Am cars are not that dissimilar to a short track NASCAR, so I think I’ll be able to find my feet pretty quickly,” said Kelly.

“But I treat all cars the same – Four tyres and a race car, rag it and get the most you can out of it.

“I think that two events within less than seven days is a great concept. It’s fantastic how they are doing it. The locals are really going to love it, and it really keeps the cost down for the teams, being able to have two meetings in a minimal amount of time.

“When I was in The States, I enjoyed racing every week. Back-to-back is really good. It doesn’t happen enough here in Australia.

“When I committed to doing these races, I just thought I’d get a couple of mates together and run the car. Straight away, I thought of Marcos and my brother. A couple of other mates might come down, and we’ll just go have a good time. It’s an old school, fun way of going about it.

“We’ll take it seriously, but it’s like back in the days where you’d throw the car on the trailer and drive to the races. It’s going to be good.

“Marcos will definitely be an asset. He has a good handle on how race cars work, especially this style of car – it’s what we are used to in The States. I can’t wait to get into it.”

As part of the two Race Tasmania events, Australian Racing Group categories TCR Australia, S5000 and Touring Car Masters will compete alongside a selection of local classes at both events.

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