Kelly Racing V8 Supercar team launched
March 2, 2009 by George Skentzos
The most successful sibling driver duo in V8 Supercars has launched one of Australian motorsport’s most ambitious projects, establishing the Kelly Racing Team.
The move makes Rick and Todd Kelly the only owner-drivers in the series, unveiling an impressive state-of-the-art facility at Braeside, Melbourne.
In total, the team will run four V8 Supercars in the coming season – two Jack Daniel’s-backed Holden Commodores driven by the Kelly Brothers, a Dodo backed Holden Commodore to be driven by Jack Perkins and a fourth Commodore by Dale Wood.
“We are extremely excited to have built what we have from scratch by combining 10 years of family knowledge, some first class sponsorship partners and the passion and enthusiasm of the Kelly Racing employees,” said Todd Kelly.
The new team combines a decade of experience in the sport by the Kelly family with major support from Holden.
“Holden has been critical in the whole process and are providing significant support as we drive forward with all of our plans.”
The Jack Daniel’s Racing and Dodo Racing Holdens will hit the track at Winton in north-east Victoria tomorrow for a initial shakedown, while all four Kelly entries will return for an official V8 Supercar test day on Monday, March 9.
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My first time on this site. Found it interesting. Will look in again sometime. GD (Older fan)
But Richo if your name isnt on the papers, then you arent an owner, and if Ricks and Todds names arent on the Kelly business papers, then they arent owners either.
Does your rule also make Marcus Marshall and Steven Johnson Owner drivers too???
As Bret said now i can focus on hating one team. Go Ford
Andrew, firstly, how do we know their names aren’t on the papers? Thats point one, and as far as family business etc mate all i’m saying is that reality sometimes differs from what is on the legal documents. For example how many kids buy their first car in their parents name? Its their car, but legally its their parents, thats kind of what i’m getting at.
I think its fairly clear from everything thats been said that the two Kelly boys at the very least run the team, even if their parents may have the legal ownership of the team, its pretty plain for all to see that its Rick and Todd who are actually running the organisation.
With my business for example, I do all the work, I applied for the contracts, I hired the staff, my father has little to do with it, but because I was so young (20) when it all started it was just easier to put everything in the old mans name, and I’m sure you know as well as I do that this is a fairly common tale.
Who actually has the name on the legal documents no body really knows, so legally are they owners? Dunno, but in reality, its Rick and Todd who are running the team, they are the ones putting in the effort, so I believe they are essentially taking on the responsibility of owner drivers, regardless of whether or not its legally so (which i think it probably is legally so anyway, just maybe not 100%)
Richo,
I know i was just getting a bit picky going that far as to question whether they were or were not owners, its just the claiming they were the ONLY owner drivers comment that kicked me off. Jason Bright is the only clear cut Owner Driver.
I know Todd was pretty involved in setting the team up, but im not sure that Rick was.
Todd has a pretty good head on his shoulders, its a shame that WP shafted him, but in the end i think Todd will get more out of this new venture than if he had have continued to live in Toms pocket.
You also didnt answer my question.
Do you also consider Marcus Marshall and Steven Johnson Owner Drivers????
Neo,
its actually 2 teams you have to hate, the kelly team, and the reborn Walkinshaw team.
Just having a dig Holdenites
Yeah and here in the West we have to wait till November till they make an appearance,more changes that suck!
I dont mind Toddles at all , pity the boy though in a family business. Hope he has more of a chance to prove himself now .
You wagging work Andrew ?hehehe I guess thats the bosses choice isnt it!
I went in this morning to check up on the guys. I just got back from the dentist this morning and since everything seemed to be rolling ok, Ive decided to put my feet up for the rest of it
Oh its not because you cant feel your bottom lip from the anesthetic and you think the guys may catch you dribbling……….hahaha Should be an interesting arvo on here if you know what I mean ;)
No, I dont know what you mean.
This is normally House wife o’clock ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
I am laughing so hard cause i can see the look on your face ha ha ha ha ha
Il be hiding after the desk now ha ha ha ha
:0 ……….That will do now :) Check your email I just sent you………….
Andrew, I guess the difference is Todd and Rick are claiming to be owners drivers, why would they do that if they wheren’t?
As for Stevie J, who I happen to think is really good and never had the chance to show it, no I don’t consider him to be an owner driver because he has never attempted to be involved in the running of DJR, for him, it was always his Dad’s business and he just drove for it, the difference with Todd and Rick is that they are very much actively involved in the company and wanting to be involved, where as Steve is just the driver. He may well have aspirations to take over from his Dad in the future, but for the time being I think he is just concentrating on driving.
Marcus Marshall, I remember when the news of all this came up his Dad actually came out and said that he has helped get the ball running, but he will not be running the team, its up to Marcus. I think he has gone un-noticed in all of this, I think he is very much an owner driver! He has set the team up, he bought a lot of equipement off Britek when they shut up shop, he organised the deal with 888 for a car, he organised the sponsor, his Dad no doubt has put up the capital to start it off, but if nothing else Marcus is very much an owner/manager if you like, and may well have onwership in conjunction with his dad, and yeah i’d consider him very much in the same light as the Kelly’s
actually, just read the press release for Marcus’s team, IntaRacing, apparently the team is owned by the sponsor, Access Cash which is owned by a personal friend of Marcus.
So it sounds like he has just helped his friend set the team up, so no not an owner driver then!
On Marcus Marshall,
its interesting to hear that his dad wasnt the one to foot the bill.
I lke yourself remember when the deals were being made that the talk was that Marcus’ dad was the proposed owner.
Ill have to read into that one myself too.
On Stevie, I think you would be surprised to see that he has a bigger influence behind the scenes.
I think his efforts are hidden in the media behind a father who is a bigger super star.
If you take notice in the rounds where Dick isnt present, Steve takes a visibly more front man roll.
I remember reading a while ago that Steve is more involved in the running of things than he used to be. Over the last 5 years or so Dick has given him more responsibility and steve often talks about being dedicated to keeping the team going now and in the era past dicks involvment.
Eitherway, getting back to the roots of our discussion, this article is incorrect as the kelly boys are definately not the only owner drivers as stated