Create account | Log in as member
Create account | Log in as member
February 11, 2007
Tweet
In a stunning decision, multiple award-winning driver David Brown, who took the F1VWC by storm in 2006, will return to the grid this season as the full time driver of Bacardi Stealth Renault Car #9. Brown had previously announced his retirement from full time racing in November of 2006, on the heels of the best season of his career and yet one tinged with the frustrations of time constraints. With these concerns cleared up, and the exciting prospect of building on the progress of last year, Brown returns to the track full of adrenaline and excitement.
Joining the Englishman in the Stealth lineup, driving Car #10, is highly-touted Irishman Philip Cullen. Cullen will be entering his first season as a full time driver, and impressed the league last year with consistent finishes and exceptional commitment in the races he entered with Woods Racing and K.O.T.
Rounding out the Stealth lineup will be three test drivers: Mal McKee, returning to the role for a 2nd year, Team Principal Ted Cragg, and a new addition: award-winning car designer Kyran Brazier. Brazier will once again be the creative force behind the Stealth livery and image in 2007, and was thus inspired to not only design the wheel but get behind it as well.
For David Brown, it was a long road from last fall to being at the announcement today. Indeed, for most of that time, it appeared his original decision was set in stone. ?I indeed made a statement [last year] about retiring, and I didn't take it lightly,? he said. ?It was a hard choice; it's always hard to give up something you love. Unless you compete at this level, you can't begin to understand the level of commitment that goes into a full season, whether it is fighting for 1st or last.?
Changes at home had primarily prompted the move. ?Towards the end of last season my wife gave birth to another son, Tommy, and that was the main reason behind it. Obviously I didn't want to take any time away from him,? said Brown.
But, the lure of racing was strong. ?Over the winter I've been doing a lot of thinking and weighed up the pros and cons, and to be honest I need something like this in my life!? he said. ?It's perfect for maintaining a stable mind when you have 3 sons! Luckily, I have a wife that's very understanding. I think I've made the right choice.?
Most recently, rumours suggested that Brown would be seen again in a test driver role, but the decision was made just in the past week to return instead to racing. ?It's nice to be sitting here again being asked these questions!? he said. ?Competing alongside the world's finest is such a rush! Competition is in my blood now after a solid three enjoyable years.?
Philip Cullen and Stealth initiated their discussions in October of 2006. ?The opportunity to race full-time is one I could not turn down,? he said. ?I have the itch to drive full-time and Stealth were kind enough to give me the chance to scratch that itch! From day one when Stealth enquired to my availability, I was treated with the highest regard and respect, which is something I admire greatly,? he continued. ?Stealth did an unbelievable job last year and anyone would have jumped at the chance to drive for them.? Although Cullen drove two of the last three races of 2006 for K.O.T., his employer since 2005 has been Woods Racing. Like David Brown a year earlier, years of hard work has earned Cullen a promotion up the grid. ?I will miss the Woods crew,? he said, ?but when you get a chance like this you have to grab it.?
Cullen was quick to comment on his new surroundings: ?[The team] is very professional, and already the attention to detail I have seen is mind-blowing, and it's still pre-season!? he said. ?Now that I'm part of it I can really see how they got to where they were last year.?
Veteran Mal McKee will once again be on track this year, one of the only drivers still around who participated in the league's original season, 2002. ?I'm happy to test in F1 again this year,? he said. ?The more I get involved, and the more others get involved, the more enthusiastic I become again.?
For Kyran Brazier, participating in 2007, driving his own car no less, will be a welcome return to action. ?It's great to be back in the F1VWC, and to be driving for a great team like Stealth,? said Brazier. The Englishman has previously been a test driver for Simsoa, where he was teamed with David Brown in 2004. ?I hope Stealth does well this season; we certainly have a great group of drivers who are looking to do well,? he said.
Team Principal Ted Cragg exuded a combined sense of relief and excitement about the season to come. ?We did our best to be prepared for David not returning, and indeed like himself we hadn't expected it until recently, but to be honest him coming back did make my job quite a bit easier!? he said. ?Obviously David is an exceptional talent and person, and we just feel so lucky to have him in Stealth colours. Phil's arrival is like a breath of fresh air for everyone, we really appreciate his commitment and enthusiasm,? said Cragg. ?I certainly believe that he has talent just waiting to be nurtured and unleashed, and with the car we have this season and his passion to improve, we could see more awards at the end of the year.?
Stealth finished the 2006 season, the best in team history, with 56 points, good for 5th in the Constructors Championship, just 4 points behind 4th place RTT GreenVipers. It was a massive improvement on the 2 points scored by SCUM in 2005. David Brown led the race for the vaunted 4th place finish right up until the final event of the year, when he was narrowly beaten by four-race winner Laurent Keersmaekers. Brown finished with 37 points, more than tripling his previous season best of 11, and also tripling his career points tally of 12 prior to the season. For their efforts, Brown and the team were recognized with the 2006 F1VWC awards for Surprise Driver of the Season and Best of the Rest, while Kieran Brazier won for Best Livery and Stealth finished 2nd for Surprise Team of the Season.
At the moment, the team has refrained from announcing detailed goals and objectives for 2007. ?That should come at the official launch, in about two weeks,? said Cragg. However, the race drivers did start the discussion on the subject.
?I'm looking forward to working with Philip, he is one of the keenest drivers out there!? said David Brown. ?The car should be a lot better than it was last season so I can't wait to see how that goes by mid season. However, I wish the Governing Body would see the sense in scrapping steering help. If I can use it, surely the fastest guys out there can. Or is that why they are faster? Meanwhile, I've kitted myself out with a new steering wheel and pedals, and already I've noticed a significant difference to what I'm used to,? he said. ?So all in all it looks like we might be able to continue where we left off last season!!
?I look forward to contributing during the season and hope that I can repay the faith Stealth has shown in me,? said Philip Cullen. ?I'm still a VWC rookie in many regards, with this being my first full season. Of course I want to be successful and score points, that's what I'm paid to do at the end of the day!? Cullen's approach for 2007 is sound, though. ?The first aim for any driver is to match and beat my team-mate. However, I'm not under any illusions. He's bloody fast! I plan to take it one race at a time and help the team improve on the fantastic achievements of last year,? he said.
The last word was saved for David Brown, a veteran now of 47 races in three years: ?I'd like to thank Ted, all at Stealth & Synergetic and most of the F1VWC grid for encouraging me to come back!!!!! It's an amazing feeling to be part of the community for at least another year.?
Bacardi Stealth Renault will soon announce their 2007 launch date and details, expected for the end of the month. In the meantime, the team presented a couple ?teasers' to the media, hinting at what will hopefully be another award-winning season.
Joining the Englishman in the Stealth lineup, driving Car #10, is highly-touted Irishman Philip Cullen. Cullen will be entering his first season as a full time driver, and impressed the league last year with consistent finishes and exceptional commitment in the races he entered with Woods Racing and K.O.T.
Rounding out the Stealth lineup will be three test drivers: Mal McKee, returning to the role for a 2nd year, Team Principal Ted Cragg, and a new addition: award-winning car designer Kyran Brazier. Brazier will once again be the creative force behind the Stealth livery and image in 2007, and was thus inspired to not only design the wheel but get behind it as well.
For David Brown, it was a long road from last fall to being at the announcement today. Indeed, for most of that time, it appeared his original decision was set in stone. ?I indeed made a statement [last year] about retiring, and I didn't take it lightly,? he said. ?It was a hard choice; it's always hard to give up something you love. Unless you compete at this level, you can't begin to understand the level of commitment that goes into a full season, whether it is fighting for 1st or last.?
Changes at home had primarily prompted the move. ?Towards the end of last season my wife gave birth to another son, Tommy, and that was the main reason behind it. Obviously I didn't want to take any time away from him,? said Brown.
But, the lure of racing was strong. ?Over the winter I've been doing a lot of thinking and weighed up the pros and cons, and to be honest I need something like this in my life!? he said. ?It's perfect for maintaining a stable mind when you have 3 sons! Luckily, I have a wife that's very understanding. I think I've made the right choice.?
Most recently, rumours suggested that Brown would be seen again in a test driver role, but the decision was made just in the past week to return instead to racing. ?It's nice to be sitting here again being asked these questions!? he said. ?Competing alongside the world's finest is such a rush! Competition is in my blood now after a solid three enjoyable years.?
Philip Cullen and Stealth initiated their discussions in October of 2006. ?The opportunity to race full-time is one I could not turn down,? he said. ?I have the itch to drive full-time and Stealth were kind enough to give me the chance to scratch that itch! From day one when Stealth enquired to my availability, I was treated with the highest regard and respect, which is something I admire greatly,? he continued. ?Stealth did an unbelievable job last year and anyone would have jumped at the chance to drive for them.? Although Cullen drove two of the last three races of 2006 for K.O.T., his employer since 2005 has been Woods Racing. Like David Brown a year earlier, years of hard work has earned Cullen a promotion up the grid. ?I will miss the Woods crew,? he said, ?but when you get a chance like this you have to grab it.?
Cullen was quick to comment on his new surroundings: ?[The team] is very professional, and already the attention to detail I have seen is mind-blowing, and it's still pre-season!? he said. ?Now that I'm part of it I can really see how they got to where they were last year.?
Veteran Mal McKee will once again be on track this year, one of the only drivers still around who participated in the league's original season, 2002. ?I'm happy to test in F1 again this year,? he said. ?The more I get involved, and the more others get involved, the more enthusiastic I become again.?
For Kyran Brazier, participating in 2007, driving his own car no less, will be a welcome return to action. ?It's great to be back in the F1VWC, and to be driving for a great team like Stealth,? said Brazier. The Englishman has previously been a test driver for Simsoa, where he was teamed with David Brown in 2004. ?I hope Stealth does well this season; we certainly have a great group of drivers who are looking to do well,? he said.
Team Principal Ted Cragg exuded a combined sense of relief and excitement about the season to come. ?We did our best to be prepared for David not returning, and indeed like himself we hadn't expected it until recently, but to be honest him coming back did make my job quite a bit easier!? he said. ?Obviously David is an exceptional talent and person, and we just feel so lucky to have him in Stealth colours. Phil's arrival is like a breath of fresh air for everyone, we really appreciate his commitment and enthusiasm,? said Cragg. ?I certainly believe that he has talent just waiting to be nurtured and unleashed, and with the car we have this season and his passion to improve, we could see more awards at the end of the year.?
Stealth finished the 2006 season, the best in team history, with 56 points, good for 5th in the Constructors Championship, just 4 points behind 4th place RTT GreenVipers. It was a massive improvement on the 2 points scored by SCUM in 2005. David Brown led the race for the vaunted 4th place finish right up until the final event of the year, when he was narrowly beaten by four-race winner Laurent Keersmaekers. Brown finished with 37 points, more than tripling his previous season best of 11, and also tripling his career points tally of 12 prior to the season. For their efforts, Brown and the team were recognized with the 2006 F1VWC awards for Surprise Driver of the Season and Best of the Rest, while Kieran Brazier won for Best Livery and Stealth finished 2nd for Surprise Team of the Season.
At the moment, the team has refrained from announcing detailed goals and objectives for 2007. ?That should come at the official launch, in about two weeks,? said Cragg. However, the race drivers did start the discussion on the subject.
?I'm looking forward to working with Philip, he is one of the keenest drivers out there!? said David Brown. ?The car should be a lot better than it was last season so I can't wait to see how that goes by mid season. However, I wish the Governing Body would see the sense in scrapping steering help. If I can use it, surely the fastest guys out there can. Or is that why they are faster? Meanwhile, I've kitted myself out with a new steering wheel and pedals, and already I've noticed a significant difference to what I'm used to,? he said. ?So all in all it looks like we might be able to continue where we left off last season!!
?I look forward to contributing during the season and hope that I can repay the faith Stealth has shown in me,? said Philip Cullen. ?I'm still a VWC rookie in many regards, with this being my first full season. Of course I want to be successful and score points, that's what I'm paid to do at the end of the day!? Cullen's approach for 2007 is sound, though. ?The first aim for any driver is to match and beat my team-mate. However, I'm not under any illusions. He's bloody fast! I plan to take it one race at a time and help the team improve on the fantastic achievements of last year,? he said.
The last word was saved for David Brown, a veteran now of 47 races in three years: ?I'd like to thank Ted, all at Stealth & Synergetic and most of the F1VWC grid for encouraging me to come back!!!!! It's an amazing feeling to be part of the community for at least another year.?
Bacardi Stealth Renault will soon announce their 2007 launch date and details, expected for the end of the month. In the meantime, the team presented a couple ?teasers' to the media, hinting at what will hopefully be another award-winning season.
Related texts:
© 2018 GPVWC Simracing Ltd | Privacy Policy