D. E. Jr on vacation in Australia

[Sparky1329]

PHILLIP ISLAND, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 02: American NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. (R) meets V8 supercar driver Todd Kelly prior to race two of the V8 Supercars Grand Finale held at the Phillip Island Circuit December 2, 2007 on Phillip Island, Australia. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is in Australia on vacation. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

http://www.boomspeed.com/rockysmom/12_02_07JrInAutralia.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/rockysmom/12_02_07JrInAutralia2.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/rockysmom/12_02_07JrInAutralia3.jpg

http://www.boomspeed.com/rockysmom/12_02_07JrInAutralia4.jpg

[raybak]

Just wish there were no clashes with the NASCAR calendar so that Dale Jr could do Bathurst.

Maybe start the rumours that he is moving to Australia to drive for HRT

Ray

[Robert Ryan]

His impressions while in Australia of the V8Supercars
http://www.v8supercar.com.au/news/latestnews/newsdisplay.asp?Ind=&author=&gid=32677015

[Robert Ryan]

Some interesting quotes from the above press release:

One of the biggest names in world motorsport wants to race in the V8 Supercar Championship Series in the future after giving Australia’s premier category a massive endorsement at Phillip Island today.

We’ve become fans of V8 Supercars from watching on television. This series has come a long, long way since I started watching it. I would be quite proud to showcase this off to anyone,” said Earnhardt.

“In a perfect world I would come and race fulltime in the V8 series for a year. I believe I would enjoy it. I like the format over the weekend as far as the rounds go.

“It is definitely different to how we approach the weekend. I would definitely enjoy coming here and racing and dedicating solely to that


Earnhardt was particularly impressed by the technology of a V8 Supercar and the professionalism of the teams that prepare them.

“The craftsmanship on the cars was really, really impressive,” he said.

“The technology is very impressive especially the ability to record data for the whole weekend is much different. We don’t have that. The fuel injection and all those things are also remarkable.”


“Marcos had a great opportunity at the win in Montreal. The way he handled that was a great example to a lot of other drivers in the sport. He could have blasted a couple of drivers after that race but he didn’t which was pretty impressive the way he handled himself.

“He adapted so quickly in the (secondary) Busch series and the V8 Supercars are quite similar that I don’t think he will have much problem stepping up.”

[Nick Brad]

Interesting to read, it's exactly the kind of things I'd say if I was in his position though and by praising Ambrose he knows he'll have gained a few extra fans in Australia. The guy certainly has a business head on him and you have to respect that. DEI have lost so much more than they realise.

[tassiedevilAB]

Interesting to read, it's exactly the kind of things I'd say if I was in his position though and by praising Ambrose he knows he'll have gained a few extra fans in Australia. The guy certainly has a business head on him and you have to respect that. DEI have lost so much more than they realise.

Good post nick, the wool isn't pulled over your eyes, very observant mate !

[muggle not]

Interesting to read, it's exactly the kind of things I'd say if I was in his position though and by praising Ambrose he knows he'll have gained a few extra fans in Australia. The guy certainly has a business head on him and you have to respect that. DEI have lost so much more than they realise.
I agree. DEI will probably survive but it will take a long time to overcome the loss of Jr.

[Sparky1329]

I agree. DEI will probably survive but it will take a long time to overcome the loss of Jr.

You'd better believe it. I gave TE too much credit for her business "smarts". Letting Dale Jr go was one of the biggest boneheaded moves of 2007.

[Robert Ryan]

Interesting to read, it's exactly the kind of things I'd say if I was in his position though and by praising Ambrose he knows he'll have gained a few extra fans in Australia. The guy certainly has a business head on him and you have to respect that. DEI have lost so much more than they realise.
What is surprising, he has come to watch a sedan series not at all aligned with NASCAR or Grand Am. He has also said as driver he would like to run the series. He also said he is a long term fan of the series. Not the sort of thing NASCAR would approve of one of their major drivers saying, especially one who came to see a major race live as well as go on holiday here.

[RaceFanStan]

..... Not the sort of thing NASCAR would approve of one of their major drivers saying,
especially one who came to see a major race live as well as go on holiday here.
I think NASCAR would be pleased with the INTERNATIONAL exposure Dale Jr caused.
There is no doubt that NASCAR wants to expand it's fanbase all over the world.
I'm not surprised NASCAR's fan favorite is having a highly visible "vacation".
It could be Dale Jr's "vacation" is actually more to build NASCAR than people might think ... http://www.motorsportforum.com/forums/images/icons/tongue-anim.gif

[Robert Ryan]

More News from the Courier Mail. He is going to drive Paul Morris's V8Supercar.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22857595-10389,00.html




NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr has put his hand up to switch to V8 Supercars if a team is prepared to hire him.

Earnhardt Jr has caught the V8 bug after making a surprise visit to the final round of the V8 championship at Phillip Island yesterday as part of a two-week holiday to Australia.
Voted America's most popular NASCAR driver, Earnhardt Jr said he would definitely give consideration to making a move to the Aussie tourers.

"I will drive my butt off in Cup cars (NASCAR) until I'm done and then if somebody wants to hire me I will move to Australia," Earnhardt Jr, son of seven-time NASCAR champion Dale Earnhardt who was killed in 2001 in the Daytona 500, said.

He said there is scope for NASCAR and V8 Supercar drivers to swap seats for a season.

Earnhardt Jr said he had become a fan of V8 Supercars through watching the races on America's Speed Channel.

He has also become more aware of the V8s through Marcos Ambrose who has earned respect since he undertook his first season of NASCAR racing in the second-tier Busch series this year.

"I had high expectations of what to expect from your V8s and after going into a few of the Holden garages today they have lived up to my expectation," he said.

"I'm really impressed with the craftsmanship of the cars.

"They are similar to ours but have a lot more electronics."

Earnhardt Jr is scheduled to fly to Queensland this week and will possibly drive Paul Morris's Sirromet Wines V8 Supercar at the Norwell facility before heading home.

"Plenty of people have offered me a test of their cars but I will go to Queensland and maybe get the chance to drive Paul's V8," Earnhardt Jr said.

"In a perfect world I would come out and race in the V8 series.

"I like the format of the races."

Earnhardt Jr said he did not know what all the fuss was about with Mark Skaife seemingly assisting fellow Holden driver Garth Tander.

"It happens all the time in our sport and if you are benefiting from it then it's great but if you're not then you probably don't like it," he said

Earnhardt Jr has been overwhelmed by the hospitality he has received since arriving in Melbourne on Saturday.

[muggle not]

I think NASCAR would be pleased with the INTERNATIONAL exposure Dale Jr caused.
There is no doubt that NASCAR wants to expand it's fanbase all over the world.
I'm not surprised NASCAR's fan favorite is having a highly visible "vacation".
It could be Dale Jr's "vacation" is actually more to build NASCAR than people might think ... http://www.motorsportforum.com/forums/images/icons/tongue-anim.gif
Good point. I never thought of that.

[Sparky1329]

I think Dale Jr is an excellent ambassador for NASCAR. :up:

[Robert Ryan]

I think Dale Jr is an excellent ambassador for NASCAR
An an even better Ambassador for V8Supercar, that is now getting free publicity over his endorsement and praise of the Philip Island event, he would like to see a similar format in NASCAR.Saying you would like to run the series: have a driver switch; suitably impressed by the equipment and professionalism of the series, will also go down well in the US.

[muggle not]

An an even better Ambassador for V8Supercar, that is now getting free publicity over his endorsement and praise of the Philip Island event, he would like to see a similar format in NASCAR.Saying you would like to run the series: have a driver switch; suitably impressed by the equipment and professionalism of the series, will also go down well in the US.
I agree. However, when push comes to shove it is Nascar that is benefiting the most from Jr's International news headlines.

[Robert Ryan]

I agree. However, when push comes to shove it is Nascar that is benefiting the most from Jr's International news headlines.
I feel it is very similar to when Montoya came to NASCAR. Everyone knew Montoya, but not that many in other parts of the world ,had much a clue about NASCAR. In a sense Dale is saying similar things to Montoya, would like to give it a try, surprised by the professionalism , cars etc.Either way this endorsement and coverage is part of the V8Supercar plan to get better worldwide coverage and growth. The ironic thing is for the bulk of the Australian population few would have heard of Dale Earnhardt Jr..but would be impressed that someone of some racing stature in the US would like to race here(NASCAR in reverse). Well that is the spin coming out of the papers here.

[Robert Ryan]

In a Nuschell: We are so good EVEN the top dogs of NASCAR want to run here. That is the articles in the local papers condensced. Sound familar?

[tassiedevilAB]

In a Nuschell: We are so good EVEN the top dogs of NASCAR want to run here. That is the articles in the local papers condensced. Sound familar?

It sounds to me that there is a lot of people greasing there hands on both sides of the PR spin. Nascar & the v8's, These situations have happened before when a drivers from another series, ( CART ) saw the v8's at the indy races, well before Max Wilson jumped ship, Pruitt & Vasser said when they are done with the cart rides that they would love to race the cars, those 2 just did a good PR spin for us aussies, when they finished with CART they just went driving in a series in the USA, & pruitt is just a driver now, in good equipment, with hardly in competition. Not the star he was in the CART series

It sounds good at the time, But in reallity it is B u l l s h i t !

[tassiedevilAB]

I agree. However, when push comes to shove it is Nascar that is benefiting the most from Jr's International news headlines.

Yep & the one being shoved out of this is Ambrose , just the weekend that Marcos usually goes home & commantates at the Finale race, Holden had a perfect PR excuse to have JR in the garages.

This is going to spoil what a successful Busch series that Ambrose had over there. He will come home to nothing now seeing that jr has got there before him, but Marcos has a better excuse to stay in the USA than what JR did this year, Marcos will be collecting big time for his race craft.

Ford better do something very special when he arrives after the Busch banquet to stymmie the Holden sabotage this weekend!

[tassiedevilAB]

More News from the Courier Mail. He is going to drive Paul Morris's V8Supercar.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22857595-10389,00.html

Earnhardt Jr said he did not know what all the fuss was about with Mark Skaife seemingly assisting fellow Holden driver Garth Tander.

"It happens all the time in our sport and if you are benefiting from it then it's great but if you're not then you probably don't like it," he said.

Your bloody corect there, we hate crapp like that here JR ,
it was suppose to of been a race with the contenders with no other driver stuffing up the race, but just as happened last year , the olden' guys got together & buggered up the ford contenders, I WILL HAVE A WORD TO THE FORD GUYS , at Melbourne GP next year & tell them to wreck the main olden's in the first couple of races, & see how the media likes that, of couse they won't, they will say you can not do this to our precious Holden drivers.
What did they do to deserve this treatment.

I think ford & there fans have had enough of the favouratism that Holden drivers have had in the last 2 years. Everytime FPR falcons are in a POSITION TO WIN RACES , THEY ARE BEING NOBBLED BY THE STEWARDS, after being hit in the arse & having to go to the pits & loose a lap in getting it fixed. You don't get hit in the arse by doing it yourself , so why penelise a driver that did nothing while the perportrator gets nothing for damaging there fellow competitor. Seems to me the officials didn't like Ford winning 3 championships in a row.
We better make sure holdens win it by hook or by crook,
Sounds familar to you guys that chebby's got there way this year too in Nascar. by cheating !

[Robert Ryan]

These situations have happened before when a drivers from another series, ( CART ) saw the v8's at the indy races, well before Max Wilson jumped ship, Pruitt & Vasser
Not really Tassidevil: Pruitt did race at Bathurst, but was very uncompetitive. Vasser was going to race here or try too, but got a better offer from CCWS.

[tassiedevilAB]

Not really Tassidevil: Pruitt did race at Bathurst, but was very uncompetitive. Vasser was going to race here or try too, but got a better offer from CCWS.

Yea pruitt was a shocker & so was Kendle, I really do not know why a driver of kendle's caliber, could not get it right at Bathurst, he raced on tracks of simillar design in the trans am series, & came here as a many multi trans am champion, but the aussies just showed him how it is done, the europeans don't seem to have any trouble with Bathurst, But Americans & candians can not do it.

But aussies in america don't have that problem on the road courses?

[muggle not]

Maybe Boris should give it a try and show how it is done. :)

[Robert Ryan]

Maybe Boris should give it a try and show how it is done.
I know Boris is keen to do that..but their is no funding or Teams he could run with. Funding would have to come from the US.

[raybak]

Dale Jr to drive a Daihatsu Charade in the ACT Regional Rally Series in 2021.

Just another rumour from Australia.

Cheers

Ray

[RaceFanStan]

If Dale Jr doesn't perform in a Hendrick car he may go sooner ... http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

[muggle not]

If Dale Jr doesn't perform in a Hendrick car he may go sooner ... http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g202/gr8link/orn/00.gif

:arrows: :arrows: :arrows:

[tassiedevilAB]

14/12/2007

AMBROSE SHOWS DALE EARNHARDT JR AROUND HIS V8 SUPER SCHOOL ON THE GOLD COAST


Australian NASCAR driver Marcos Ambrose has spent the day with NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr at Ambrose’s V8 Super School on the Gold Coast in Australia today.

Ambrose hosted Earnhardt Jr, who is in Australia on holiday with friends, and gave the American the opportunity to drive one of the school’s 450-horsepower race cars around the V8 Super School’s 2.1-kilometre road course circuit.

Ambrose and Earnhardt Jr shared the track in a Ford and GM-Holden respectively for some laps before speaking with the assembled media contingent.

Ambrose only recently arrived back in Australia after collecting his eighth place championship trophy at the NASCAR Busch Series Awards banquet in Orlando, Florida.

Earnhardt Jr spoke with Ambrose late this season about his impending trip to Australia, taking tips from the Australian regarding his homeland.

The two agreed to catch up on the Gold Coast in Queensland so that Ambrose could host Earnhardt Jr and his friends for a day of fun and thrills at the V8 Superschool, which Ambrose co-owns with friend and Australian V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris.

“It was great to catch up with Dale and give him the chance to experience one of our cars at the V8 Super School,” said Ambrose.

“I always make a point of visiting everyone here at the V8 Super School when I am back in Australia, and this time around they were very impressed with the friend I brought along for a drive.

“It’s been a great year for me in the United States and it’s nice to come home to the Australian summer for a break. Sonja and I are busy catching up with some friends and family and showing off our new daughter Adelaide along with Tabitha, who is already two years old.

“I’ve had the chance to speak with Junior a couple of times this year and late in the year he came up and asked me about Australia because he intended on coming down here for a holiday.

“From that point on I have kind of been his travel consultant. We made sure he saw the V8 Supercar final at Phillip Island, stayed in Melbourne, Sydney and now the Gold Coast.

“Dale and his buddies are here having a ball at the V8 Super School and it’s been great to catch up with him and spend some time with him because he is definitely one of the guys I look up to in NASCAR.

“He’s a real driver’s driver and he’s got awesome skills. You can see how quickly he has adapted to these cars today just how good he is and I look forward to the day where I can hopefully get to his level and run side-by-side with him because he’s a great driver and a great guy.

“I’m already looking forward to next season. We’ve got some great things going and I think the Kingsford team will be really strong in the Nationwide Series next season. I’m also really looking forward to getting in the Little Debbie Ford for my first races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup and working on the Cup program with everyone in the team.”

Earnhardt Jr thoroughly enjoyed his time behind the wheel of one of the V8 Super School’s cars, more accustomed to oval racing a NASCAR at over 300km/h.

“I have to thank Marcos for everything he has set-up for me on this trip,” said Earnhardt Jr.

“This is my first trip to Australia and I absolutely love it. Everyone here has been so good to me and to all of my friends and we will never forget this trip.

“I have really enjoyed the chance to drive these cars on a road course-style track. It’s great fun and Marcos and Paul Morris have been great to me and really looked after us. We are having a ball.

“It’s been great to experience Australia and see how racing is down here. Our group has all had a blast and Marcos’ advise on where to go and everything he has set up for us has been awesome.

“He’s a great guy and I think he is doing very well in NASCAR and has the potential to go a long way.”

ABOUT DALE EARNHARDT JR:

In 2008 Earnhardt will drive the #88 AMP Energy Drink/National Guard Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

Earnhardt is 33 years of age and lives in Mooresville, North Carolina.

Earnhardt Jr is the 2004 Daytona 500 champion. He has 17 career race wins in Cup and his best championship finish in third in 2003.

He just won his fifth NASCAR Most Popular Driver Award. Earnhardt Jr won the 1998 and 1999 NASCAR Busch Series titles before moving up to NASCAR Nextel Cup in 2000.

Also owns JR Motorsports and the #88 NAVY Chevrolet driven by Brad Keselowski in the NASCAR Busch Series.

ABOUT MARCOS AMBROSE:

Marcos Ambrose finished eighth in this year’s NASCAR Busch Series and as the second-best rookie, driving the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion for Wood Brothers/JTG Racing.

Next season Ambrose will continue to drive the #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion in NASCAR’s second-tier series, renamed the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

Ambrose will also race a minimum of 12 events in the top-level NASCAR Sprint Cup in the Little Debbie Ford Fusion.

Ambrose is the first Australian to race full-time in NASCAR and the first non-North American driver to finish in the top 10 in any of NASCAR’s three national championship divisions - the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.

The last non-United States driver to achieve the feat was Canadian Earl Ross, who finished eighth in the NASCAR Nextel Cup standings in 1974.

Ambrose won the Australian V8 Supercar Championship in 2003 and 2004 for Gold Coast-based Ford team Stone Brothers Racing.

Ambrose co-owns the V8 Super School on the Gold Coast with friend and V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris.

ABOUT THE V8 SUPER SCHOOL:

Based at the Holden Performance Driving Centre at Norwell (10mins north of Dreamworld) in Queensland, Australia, the V8 Super School is on offer to anyone wanting to tackle the challenge of driving a V8 Race Car. It’s an opportunity for V8 fans to have a go themselves in a safe, enjoyable environment.
A fleet of V8 Commodores and Falcons have been built for the V8 Super School.

The vehicles are presented in a selection of V8 Supercar team livery designs, including Morris’s Sirromet Wines colours, Castrol and Orrcon, plus a Marcos Ambrose ‘Signature’ Ford and Stegbar and Team Australia Falcons. All vehicles are equipped with Roll Cage, Race Seats & Harness, Full Race Aero Kits, Quick-shift Gearboxes, Race Suspension and Slick Racing Tyres.

Tiffany wholesaler www.hw925shop.com (http://www.hw925shop.com) is a professional Tiffany jewelry supplier for 3 years and won the good reputation on this line. The products of us are the best quality in china and the lowest price(not cheap bootleg), including the necklace ,cuff , ring ,earring . as 1837 style , round / heart tag style , Atlas style , Titanium style and so on . Pleasure more EBAY resellers join our company and enjoy our service. Since we are mate wholesaler and dropshipping servicer who can help you feel confidence to set up a steady business.To be exactly, you may have all kinds of questions from beginning If you're looking for a good source of wholesale Tiffany for your retail operation, online store or auction business, www.hw925shop.com (http://www.hw925shop.com) is your one-stop shop for wholesale .hope you will get more surprise items on our website .
Wecome to our website: www.hw925shop.com (http://www.hw925shop.com)
Email: hw925shopservice@yahoo.com.cn
MSN: hw925shopservice@hotmail.com