‘ Ice ’ -ing on the cake

AFTER an action packed year for Wollongongs own newly established WPR Racing, the final round of the 2006 Yokohama V8 Ute series at Eastern Creek this Sunday will be an emotional event for the team.

Star driver Damien Ice White, will run his final race in the V8 Utes before stepping into the V8 Supercars series in 2007.

Ashley Cooper has his sights set firmly on the Rookie of the Year crown and all three drivers are hoping to finish in the top 10 for the series.

Team Manager Gary Carson says, It has been a rollercoaster ride this year. Im really proud of the whole team for everything we have achieved, and to have the results that we have had in our first year out is awesome.

For the Iceman after being in the series since its inception 6 years ago there are some mixed emotions

Obviously I would have liked to have finished my last year in the Utes a bit higher up the championship ladder, but to have won 2 championships, one in a Ford and the other in a Holden and the Holden being the only championship title for Team Brock will ensure that I leave the category with some great memories, said Damien.

My final year in the Utes has seen the emergence of Wollongong Performance Racing and I look forward to racing for them as I step into the V8 Supercars.

There are many people to thank including my major sponsors Quirks and more recently IMB Banking & Financial Services as well as all of the others that have helped me over the past 6 years.

I look forward to their continued support next year in the Supercars

With over 163 Ute races under his belt and having finished in the top 3 68 times, Damien has shown great class and speed over 6 seasons of V8 Ute racing. He has set the fastest race lap 27 times, and has set 16 lap records during the 6 seasons. Damien will be looking at cementing a few more records this weekend as he jumps into his Team IMB Ute for the final time!

Ashley Cooper will be hoping to finish off the year off on a good note, with a solid round in the Dragons/ Win TV Ute at Eastern Creek securing the title he has been chasing for most of 2006 - Rookie of the Year.

I have had a topsy-turvey year, we started to show some good form mid season and Im hoping that will continue through this weekend. When the Championship title became out of reach, I started to focus on achieving the Rookie of the Year status, so with a bit of luck I will be holding up that trophy on Sunday night and then vying for the title again in 2007.