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Proton Cars Australia and Caltex Havoline are giving a talented young
racing driver the chance to prove himself in a GT Production class
Proton Satria GTi.
Dave Russell a 19-year-old up racer from Caniaba near Lismore in
Northern NSW has taken up the role with Proton, which sees him racing in
the 2001 GT-P championship and work at the Proton showcase in Sydney's
Castle Hill.
The young Havoline-Proton backed driver has shown his enormous skill
by taking the lead in the GT-Production 4-cylinder class after 6
rounds of the eight round championship.
Caltex Havoline has put its full weight behind the Proton initiative
backing the company's GTis in the tough production car arena with
Russell's Satria sporting Havoline's signature colour scheme
Russell's motor racing skills attracted the attention of Proton cars
Australia's motor sport manager Paul Steer who gave him a chance at the
wheel of the Caltex HavolineProton Cars Australia backed Satria GTi at
last year's Showroom Showdown at Mt Panorama.
"The young Lismore based driver impressed with his performance and
maturity in the race and was offered the role because we see a huge
amount potential in fostering young talented drivers because it adds
to the appeal of our flagship Satria GTi, " said Paul Steer.
"We identified David's talent and with the help of Caltex Havoline we
were able to give him the chance to race one of our Satria GTi to help
broaden his experience and develop his racing career," he said.
"In the meantime he will learn the ropes in our Castle Hill Showcase
and fulfil both sales and promotional duties including working as an
instructor at our highly successful track days,"
he added.
"The Satria GTi has achieved strong recognition with young buyers and
Dave is an integral part of building that market for Proton," said
Paul Steer.
According to Dave Russell the opportunity with Proton is an enormous
boost.
"It has been a great opportunity and has enabled me to build up both
work and racing experience in a highly competitive arena of
motorsport," said Dave.
Russel started racing karts at the age of 10 and moved on through
hillclimbs at the age of 15 winning his class in the Queensland
Championship.
He has also raced speedway winning the NSW V8 Dirt Modifieds title in
1999 at the tender age of 17.
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