by

29^th April,  2002

Winterbottom on his way with SBR leg-up

Stone Brothers Racing has launched a junior development program for young drivers, awarding the first scholarship to Formula Ford ace Mark Winterbottom.

In an initiative to rival the Holden Racing Team's Young Lion program, and one sure to impress Ford bosses in the Stone brothers' concerted bid to become the leading Ford V8 Supercar team, the Gold Coast-based outfit has signed Winterbottom to a five-year contract.

SBR will underwrite the 21-year-old's Formula Ford campaign this year while giving him a taste of V8 Supercar racing, including test driving a Falcon before the end of the season and throughout 2003.

The team will "weigh up their options" at the end of the year, with the view to running the youngster in the Formula Ford championship again next season or moving straight into the Konica V8 Supercar Series.

The deal is not exclusive, allowing Winterbottom to be loaned to another V8 Supercar team if the opportunity presents itself.

"Mark is obviously one of the bright young talents in this country and we are delighted to welcome him as part of SBR," said team principal Ross Stone.

"We have had our eye on him for sometime and have been impressed with his progression during the last couple of years.

"We have always had a youth policy of sorts at SBR and this just strengthens our commitment to the young driving talent in this country."

Yesterday's launch at Eastern Creek Raceway was attended by Ford Racing general manager, Howard Marsden, who endorsed the venture.

Sydney-based Winterbottom, who won his chance to compete in this year's national Formula Ford series after winning Ford's KartStars program, said the deal was a dream come true.

"My dream has been to race V8 Supercars at the highest level and this new program with Stone Brothers Racing will give me every opportunity," said Winterbottom, currently second in the Formula Ford championship.

"If everything goes to plan, this will give me a great opportunity to continue my career with Ford and with one of the most professional teams in the business."

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