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SETON TO JOIN KUMHO V8 TOURING CARS AT WINTON
Seton who currently competes full-time in the Toyota 86 Racing Series and has already built experience in one-make Porsche and GT endurance racing will drive a Ford Falcon BF owned by Rod Dawson in the unofficial third-tier of Supercar racing.
Seton who along with double Supercars champion Glenn tested the car at Queensland Raceway earlier this year in what was the 18-year-olds first time behind the wheel of a V8 Touring Car.
“Its an awesome opportunity that Rod Dawson has given me and I cant wait to get my first experience in one of these cars he said.
“It was great to get some experience in the car and feel what theyre like. Weve worked hard to put all of this together so Im looking forward to getting to Winton and seeing how we go.
“Ive had experience at Winton in the GT3 Cup Challenge Porsche and the Toyota 86 Series last year. Its a good track tight and small but good fun. Its a good place to get up to speed.
Seton said the weekend was all about learning rather than worrying about results.
“Its all about getting laps and experience so were going in with no expectations he said.
“Well go there and have fun experience the car and race in front of the Supercar teams in a Supercar.
“Whenever I have a question I can go to Dad and ask him anything. He gives good feedback when youre doing something wrong so as a driver its good to have someone like him on your side.
Seton said the Winton effort represented a one-off opportunity but that there was plans for more down the road.
“At the moment its round by round. Well do Winton and see how we go but were also trying to get to Queensland Raceway (Where the V8 Touring Cars will also compete on the Supercars program) as well.
Setons BF Falcon never actually raced in the Supercars Championship the V8 Sleuth reporting the car was constructed out of an existing WPS Racing chassis to tackle the Super 2 Series in 2008.
The car was raced by Luke Youlden in 2008 and Ryan Hansford through parts of the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Nathan Assaillit raced the car in the 2013 Kumho Series before re-emerging in Scott Loadsmans hands for a one-off round in Queensland in 2015.
Setons inclusion will see an 18-strong field take to Winton with local driver Jordan Boys leading the standings following his stunning victory on debut at Phillip Island last month.
Boys driving for Image Racing leads Geoff Emery (who will sit out round two) and local team Brad Jones Racings Jack Smith in the Kumho Series standings the trio covered by just two points.
Jon McCorkindale sits fourth in the standings following a strong season opener on his ex-SBR BF Falcon while Eggleston Motorsports Tyler Greenbury sits fifth in the standings.
The Queenslander was on-course to win the opening round before an off and subsequent tyre issue saw him fail to finish the final race of the weekend.
Eggleston two-time champions in the V8 Touring Cars has entered a second car for the Winton round however is yet to confirm a driver.
Boys also leads the Kumho Cup class standings ahead of McCorkindale and Jim Pollicina.
Meanwhile Victorian Gary Collins will make his V8 Touring Cars debut at the Winton weekend running a Holden VE II Commodore in its original Jack Daniels livery.
The car was built by Perkins Engineering for Todd Kelly to drive in 2008 before moving across to the Kellys own team the following year when Perkins team withdrew from racing.
The car was raced by Jack Perkins former Top Gear Stig Ben Collins and Nathan Pretty in 2009 and Tony Ricciardello in 2010 before becoming a spare and ride car for the team. It won the teams first race with Rick Kelly behind the wheel at Hamilton New Zealand in 2011.
Collins purchased the car in 2012 when it was returned to a 2011 Jack Daniels livery in which it remains to this day.
Victorian Saloon Car racer David Wright will also return to the championship racing an ex-Paul Morris Motorsport VY Commodore (Bam Bam) owned by Paul Pennisi.
The Kumho Tyre Australian V8 Touring Car Series will tackle three races across the Winton SuperSprint event on May 19-21.
For more information head to www.v8touringcars.com.au