26/1/06 | Tasman Motorsport V8 Supercar test for F4000 champ

AS further proof of its support of the development of future talent, V8 Supercar team Tasman Motorsport today announced that it will give a driver in this year’s Formula 4000 Powered by Holden category a test in one of its V8 Supercars at the end of the 2006 season.

The team conducted a similar test last year, with Formula Ford driver John Martin sampling V8 power for the very first time in December 2005 thanks to his victory in the ‘Search for a Superstar’ competition held in conjunction with the New South Wales Formula Ford Championship.

The Formula 4000 series is powered by Holden’s 3.6-litre V6 engine as fitted in the Holden Commodore VZ road car and has been the proving ground for plenty of Australian and New Zealand racing stars. Past graduates include current V8 Supercar stars Greg Murphy, Mark Skaife and Craig Lowndes as well as internationally-renowned talents including Mark Webber, Scott Dixon and Will Power.

“Obviously I have a previous involvement with running cars in the category and I still firmly believe, along with the opinions of a number of top drivers, that they are still an ideal basis for developing the skills needed in V8 Supercars,” said Tasman Motorsport Managing Director, Kevin Murphy.

“The category itself will nominate a driver who has shown the sort of speed, level-headedness and technical prowess that we are looking for.

“We’re only too happy to give an opportunity like this. While the category has been having a few tough years, its new directors Derek Pingel and Chris Hocking from Formula 4000 International are doing a lot of things to try and re-build it – this is a chance for us to help out.”

Established in 1989, the Formula 4000 series is heading into its 18^th season in 2006. To be run over eight rounds and 16 races, the championship will begin at Calder Park on March 18-19 and will be broadcast on SBS’s ‘Speedweek’ and Fox Sport’s ‘Inside Speed’ programs.