Shannons Supercar Showdown Returns With FPR

The most coveted prize in reality TV is back, with Shannons Supercar Showdown returning to 7mate in 2013 for its third series.

The multi-award winning program changes team garages this season to Ford Performance Racing, bringing with it a host of new twists and turns that will see eight rookie drivers hit the starting grid to battle it out under the watch of Ford Pepsi Max Crew stars, Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison.

In an exciting new twist, this year’s showdown pits Frosty v Davo, who will each mentor four drivers through the TV series in their roles as team captains. Both drivers have searched Australia and as far as Europe and the United States to pick their drivers for the starting grid.

Up for grabs is the opportunity of a lifetime for the series winner – a testing contract with V8 Supercar team Ford Performance Racing. Contestants will converge on FPR’s Melbourne headquarters for their chance to impress Davison and Winterbottom, but it’s ultimately FPR team principal Tim Edwards who will make the final decision on who wins the coveted testing contract.

Shannons Supercar Showdown created history in 2011, when inaugural series winner Cameron Waters beat the UK’s Andrew Jordan, en-route to becoming the youngest driver ever to start at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. The following year he teamed up with 2012 winner Jesse Dixon to drive for Shannons Racing to become the youngest team in the great race’s history.

Also hitting the new look series for the first time will be popular V8 pit lane reporter Briony Ingerson. Ingerson will join the contestants as they battle over eight episodes at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway, driving everything from V8 racecars, to karts and Formula Ford before a seat fitting in the 2012 FPR Falcon V8 Supercar.

In declaring the team’s support for Shannons Supercar Showdown, FPR team principal Tim Edwards said, “Shannons Supercar Showdown has so far presented an amazing opportunity for over 20 young motor racing drivers to take their career to the next level.Many of these drivers now compete across the top motorsport categories in Australia.

"We are really excited to partner with the TV series and open the doors of Ford Performance Racing to the successful winner, as our 2014 Testing Rookie."

Both FPR drivers are excited about the opportunity to be part of the series.

“The pressure in this game never stops – Frosty and I are great rivals on the track, but now we are battling it out on and off the track like never before! The driver line up we have is pretty amazing and it’s definitely game on as far as I’m concerned.” said Davison.

Both drivers will mentor their respective teams in all aspects of racing, to help secure the driver who will ultimately impress Edwards as the most complete driver package, worthy of joining the FPR team.

“I can’t wait to get on the track with these guys. It’s a great way for race fans to watch our rookies compete and see how race car drivers operate at the top level. There are so many talented drivers who just need the right break and our list is looking sharp. It would be great for a new driver to join the team as a result of the series,” said Winterbottom.

As well as watching the two team captains go head to head, race fans will also see the inner workings of a V8 Supercar team as the cameras go behind the garage door during the series. “We are really looking forward to sharing our team and our partners with race fans across the nation,” said Edwards.

Shannons Insurance is proud to return as naming rights series sponsor in 2013. Manager of Marketing, Mark Behr said Shannons Supercar Showdown has been a great way for the insurer to connect with their motoring enthusiast customer base.

“This is much more than a TV series. The program has been responsible for debuting some of the youngest drivers in V8 Supercar history and on the biggest stage in Australian motorsport. Our partnership with Ford Performance Racing will see things kick up a gear as our young drivers test their race-craft under the watch of Will and Mark, two of the best in the business.”

“Our customers loved the first two series. It’s the ultimate platform that leverages entertainment and an insight into what it takes to make that giant step into driving at the elite level.” said Behr.

Shannons Supercar Showdown is jointly produced by WTFN and The Media Mix. Series Three commences on 7mate in September.