2011 V8 grid starts to take shape

Steve Owen and David Reynolds lead the new drivers set to join the V8 Supercars Championship ranks in 2011.

Owen, 35, crowned last weekend with his second Fujitsu V8 Supercars Series, will drive the second Paul Morris Motorsport Commodore VE alongside Russell Ingall.

And in an ironic twist, Owen, who wrapped up the Fujitsu V8 Series for Greg Murphy Racing, replaces his out-going team boss Greg Murphy.

With Castrol withdrawing its support of the PMM team, the details of the entry’s new major backer will be released soon.

For Reynolds, he is expected to be confirmed as the driver of the #16 Kelly Racing seat, replacing Tony Ricciardello.

Reynolds spent the majority of the 2010 season on the sidelines, contracted to Walkinshaw Racing. He competed with the Toll Holden Racing Team at the V8 endurance races at Phillip Island and Bathurst alongside Will Davison. The pair was on course to score a podium until Davison crashed his Commodore heavily at the top of the mountain.

Beyond these two ‘yet to be announced’ seats, there are two more drivers that need to be locked away – the #8 Team BOC drive and the #18 Jim Beam Racing entry.

As reported in this morning’s earlier story, Brad Jones Racing has declared it needs to find a short or long term replacement for the ill Jason Richards. CLICK HERE to see that story.

For the #18 Jim Beam drive, outgoing FPR driver Steve Richards has been touted as a replacement for new V8 champ James Courtney, who is heading to the Toll Holden Racing Team next year.

Other drivers suggested as drivers for the #8 and #18 seats include David Besnard, James Moffat, David Russell and Andrew Thompson.

Also, the field will be reduced to 28-cars next year, with confirmation that the #10 racing Entitlements Contract has been purchased by V8 Supercars Australia from Walkinshaw Racing.

See below for a non-provisional entry 28-car list for the 2011 V8 Supercars Championship.