2008 “Rebuilding”

•    Rookie Shane van Gisbergen steps up to take the seat of new #9 SP Tools Racing Falcon
•    Jonathon Webb joins SBR for a second year in the Fujitsu Series development category.
•    On his debut at Clipsal Shane van Gisbergen finishes 7th overall after crossing the line 5th in race 2.
•    James Courtney and David Besnard put car #4 on podium at Bathurst for its third year in a row finishing third in the ‘Great Race’.
•    James finally achieves his maiden V8 Supercar Race win at SBR’s home test track QLD Raceway after starting from pole.
•    A street circuit in Hamilton is added to the V8 calendar to replace Pukekohe in New Zealand with Kiwi local van Gisbergen claiming 7th for the round after place 5th in the final race.
•    Shane impresses many in wet and tricky conditions at Sandown claiming equal third with Courtney for the round.
•    James Courtney and SBR part ways at the end of the season after 3 years in JELD-WEN Colours.

Comments from Ross

“We should have won Clipsal as we did have a car advantage, but an incident with a lapped vehicle took us out of race one.  By the end of race two James had been in involved a big crash with Lowndes and Winterbottom, from that point it was clear we had started another championship campaign on the back foot. I think it is fair to say that the relationship between James and Jimmy and I was never what it should have been from then on.

Shane entered his first Clipsal and finished 5th which was an outstanding effort for a rookie.
It was sight to see when Shane started on the front row at Sandown, over the weekend displaying his extraordinary car control and car speed especially in wet conditions.
We are investing a lot in Shane with a multi-year plan. We didn’t want the scenario we faced with losing Winterbottom to happen again with this next young prospect.
James’ win at QLD Raceway was overshadowed by speculation of his move to a new team. At the end of the year we were certainly looking forward to the 2009 season as a fresh start with many behind the scene changes made to lay the foundations for a competitive team chasing our next championship title.”