Denyer saves the day

Grant Denyer has saved Taz Douglas’ Supercars Dunlop Series Championship with backing and will help him steer his #54 Holden Commodore at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 this weekend.

Denyer has brought sponsorship from Network Ten through his popular game show Family Feud to support Douglas so he can continue racing after a massive smash at Sandown Raceway last round.

The television personality will return to Supercars Racing this weekend ready to take on the mountain alongside Taz Douglas in the Supercars Dunlop Series, previously a four time Dunlop Series race winner. 

The Bathurst round has a unique format where the Dunlop Series race just one 250km mini enduro and can elect to run the race with a co-driver.

“Family Feud is Australia’s number one game show so it’s kind of cool I can combine my two loves; my love for television and my love for car racing this weekend in Bathurst,” Denyer told Supercars.com.

“The good thing about it is Family Feud is my job it’s my nine to five and they will be the sponsor on the car over the weekend.

“If that means it covers a fuel tank and a set of tyres and keeps Taz in the Championship that’s win win.”

After competing at Bathurst previously in his race career, he jumped at the opportunity to race at Mount Panorama once again.

Douglas is sixth in the Dunlop Series Championship, 324 points behind the Championship leader Garry Jacobson and sits equal with Paul Dumbrell on 916 points.

Three hundred points will be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s race.

 “It’s the world’s greatest circuit so anytime you get to turn a lap in a Supercar here is about as good as life gets, so this is a wicked chance,”Denyer said.

“I have done three Bathurst 1000 and they are the highlight of my life, so to be here this weekend with Taz to help him out, keep him in the Championship and turn a few laps is a great opportunity.”

An appreciative Douglas said chances to race at Bathurst were not looking great after car damage caused in Sandown, and thanked the sponsors.

“Luckily for Grant he came along and has been able to help us out and also Custom Plates who have helped me out throughout the year has chipped in as well,” Douglas said.

“Aside from being able to do the next round in the Championship, as Grant said to race here at Bathurst in a Supercar is just unbelievable.

“We are here not only to keep my Championship on track but to have fun as well. Obviously Grant brings a lot of exposure to our team, myself and the sponsors.”

Despite Denyers’ excitement to race, he noted it would take a while to dial back into a Supercar after racing a McLaren in the GT Series more recently.

“This is a tricky place to dial in quickly and I don’t drive these cars Monday to Friday,” Denyer said.

“I race in the GT series in a McLaren and they are remarkably different machines, but hopefully I am quick enough to keep Taz up there in the Championship and keep in in the hunt.

“The most important thing is that he continues to race and keeps his Championship on track, that’s the most important thing and I’m just here to help him.”