Pye Gets Royal Welcome To V8's

Le Mans 24 Hour winner,Adelaide’s Vern Schuppan has today thrown his support behind rising star ScottPye, who will make his full-time V8 Supercar Championship debut in 2013. Pye has signed with the Melbourne-based Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport operation,which will expand to two brand-new Holden Commodores this season. Schuppan, born and raised in Whyalla (North of Adelaide), is proud to see another talented SouthAustralian making the most of his opportunities. “It’s great to have another South Australian in V8 Supercars,” he said. “I first met Scott a couple of years ago with (Triple Eight Race Engineeringboss) Roland Dane, and he’s a very impressive young man who I’m sure willsucceed.” “He’s proven himself overseas, and this year he’s chosen to compete in thetoughest touring car category in the world. “There’s no better event for Scott to make his debut than the Clipsal 500 inhis home state; the whole town of Adelaide really gets behind it.” Pye, who drove with LDM in last year’s endurance races, says the 2013introduction of Car of the Future will give rookies a better chance ofcompeting with more experienced drivers. “I’m delighted to be driving a Commodore in the main game; the opportunity hascome a year sooner than I expected,” he said. “While I’m predicting a challenging first year against such a high level ofcompetition, this season is a good time to be coming into the championship,because everyone will be learning to drive the cars from scratch.” Pye’s progression to a main game V8SC seat follows several seasons inopenwheelers, and like Schuppan, he has showcased his talents on the worldstage. Highlights of his openwheeler exploits include third place in the 2009Australian Formula Ford Championship, a comprehensive victory in the 2010British FFord series and a race win in 2011 British F3 at Rockingham. When Pye ran out of funding to continue his international exploits, Daneoffered him a drive with Triple Eight in last year's Dunlop V8 Series. Pye wontwo races and finished second in the standings, earning him the prestigiousMike Kable Young Gun Award. LDM’s new Commodores will be built and technically supported by Triple Eight,allowing Pye to maintain a relationship with the organisation that hassupported much of his career. “Even before I raced in the Dunlop Series, Roland helped me a lot while I wasracing overseas,” Pye said. “Triple Eight are the dominant team in V8s, so it’s reassuring to know thatI’ll have their ongoing support.” “We’re excited to give an opportunity to a driver with so much natural talent,”team owner Lucas Dumbrell said. “Scott’s overseas record speaks for itself; he’s proven himself to be one ofAustralia’s rising stars, and his Dunlop Series campaign last year wasoutstanding, as were his performances when he drove for us in the enduranceraces. “Expanding to two cars is the next step in our team’s development, andstrengthening our technical alliance with Triple Eight should help us move closerto the front of the field.” The 2013 V8 Supercars Championship commences with the official pre-season testday at Sydney Motorsport Park on Saturday, 16 February, with the opening round,the Clipsal 500, in Adelaide on 28 February-3 March.