Angelo prepares for V8 Supercar test return

Chelsea Angelo will return to the wheel of a V8 Supercar in November for the first time since this year’s Dunlop Series opener.

The 19-year-old has confirmed a test with Terry Wyhoon’s Image Racing, which campaigns ex-Stone Brothers Racing Falcons for Jesse Dixon and Dan Day in the second-tier V8 Supercars class.

Angelo’s one and so far only V8 Supercars start came in a THR Developments Holden at the Clipsal 500 in March.

Hopes to continue for further rounds were dashed by a lack of budget, which has kept Angelo on the sidelines throughout the season.

“I’m really excited about increasing my V8 Supercar experience and appreciate the opportunity Terry and his team have given me,” Angelo said.

“I will be training hard in the lead up to this, both on my simulator and also in the gym to ensure I really show his team what I am capable of.

“It’s been a tough year with limited opportunities while we try to source more budget, so it is important that I make the most of this opportunity and ensure we have a solid program in place for next year.”

Both Angelo and Wyhoon are hopeful that a budget can be secured to run in next year’s Dunlop Series.

“We have been watching Chelsea progress over the years and we strongly believe she is capable of a big future in motorsport,” said Wyhoon.

“She has the skill set and from our conversations she has shown she has the right attitude to continue her progress.

“We would like to work with her in developing a program for next year in the Development Series and the day at Winton is the first step in working towards that.”

Angelo first tested a V8 Supercar for Evans Motorsport midway through 2013, but an announced attack on the following year’s series never came to fruition as a financial shortfall saw the team withdraw from the class.

News of Angelo’s Dunlop Series test comes on the same day that the category’s only current female driver, Renee Gracie, takes to Winton in preparation for a wildcard drive in the Bathurst 1000.

The wildcard has been put together by Gracie’s management and V8 Supercars, with international star Simona de Silvestro drafted in to create maximum impact for high profile sponsor Harvey Norman.