2000 – “Missed Opportunity”

•    SBR expands its racing operations to become a two car team, employing 18 people.
•    World famous fuel empire Caltex joins SBR as naming rights sponsor of car #9 to promote the new Havoline product.
•    New Zealand driver Craig Baird replaces Jason Bright in the Pirtek Racing Falcon and the experienced Tony Longhurst takes the seat in the new #9 Caltex Havoline Falcon.
•    Craig Baird wins on debut in his first race in a V8 Supercar at the open round at Phillip Island.
•    Baird achieves a third place podium finish at the Phillip Island round.
•    SBR enters the V8 Lites Series with young gun David Besnard who won the Lakeside and Mallala rounds with two race wins and a third placing at both events.
•    Simon Wills joins the team to drive with Craig Baird in the Pirtek Falcon.  David Besnard was paired with Tony Longhurst.

Comments from Ross

“We should have won the Bathurst – it was a missed opportunity.  The race started badly with early damage and a lot of extra pit stops, however, in the last stages of the race we were looking good.  With seven laps to go we were leading by over half a lap when Tony clipped a lapped car and made contact with the wall – taking us out of the race. It was devastating for the team and David too as he was in the box seat looking to claim his maiden Bathurst title.  David had driven well in difficult weather conditions.

Growing to a two car team was necessary due to economies of scales and keeping up with the bigger teams.

Craig only ended up staying for one season as both the driver and the team was frustrated at the lack of good results.”