Triple Eight Celebrates 10 Years at Sandown

Triple Eight celebrates 10 years in V8 Supercars at the Wilson Security Sandown 500 this weekend.

Today the team also announced the release of a commemorative book documenting the team’s history and achievements.

It was on September 1, 2003, when Roland Dane signed the papers to take over then Briggs Motorsport and since has morphed into the V8 Supercars powerhouse it is today.

Dane had plenty of achievements in the British Touring Car Championship by that stage in his career, and was looking for a new challenge.

“We’d achieved everything there was to achieve in the UK in a Championship that was going stale,” Dane said.

“V8 Supercars not only presented a new challenge for Triple Eight, but the series offered everything that was missing from the BTCC – raw excitement, adrenaline and the closest field in touring car racing anywhere in the world. Plus Bathurst.”

The team debuted at the Sandown 500 with Dean Canto/Matthew White and Paul Radisich/Rickard Rydell behind the wheel of the Betta Electrical Falcons.  

In 2005 Dane signed “name” driving Craig Lowndes to the team – he went on to achieve the first ever race and round win for the team back in 2005 at Eastern Creek, now Sydney Motorsport Park – and in 2006 signed Jamie Whincup, who was known in the paddock but had yet to achieve greatness.

Now, 10 years later, Triple Eight has claimed four V8 Supercars team and driver Championships, five Bathurst 1000 titles, over 100 race wins and supplies components to other competitors along pit lane.

Not to mention, Craig Lowndes and co-driver Warren Luff as the defending winners heading into this weekend’s Wilson Security Sandown 500.

Triple Eight Ten Years In Australia, is said to give readers a unique insight into the team and revisit some of the spectacular liveries the team has ‘worn’ over the years.

Click here for images of Triple Eight through the years.

“Some of the special stuff we did with Vodafone was pretty cool – the chrome car we finished with last year,” Dane said.

“We’ve had some pretty cool liveries over the years – and have seen it evolve through Betta Electrical, Vodafone and now Red Bull.

“There are ones that we like more than others because we won more races with them.” 

Dane said the creation of the book had brought back some good memories – as well as reminding him of things they could have done better – and providing feedback for it had been a lot of fun.

He’s proud of the team’s achievements and while pleased with what Triple Eight has become, he is not surprised. “At the end of the day, the team’s hard work has been rewarded.”

Triple Eight Ten Years In Australia is available for pre-order, with a limited edition signed by Roland Dane available, to be shipped in 2014.

There is special edition merchandise available at this weekend’s Wilson Security Sandown 500, and for those after an autograph, head to the team’s garage between 10-10.20am on Friday and 8.40-9am Saturday.

Click here for ways to follow this weekend's race action.