The contestants in this year’s Shannons Supercar Showdown reality TV program have been confirmed.
Made up of 10 drivers from Australia, New Zealand and the United States, the eclectic group will compete against each other for the chance to join the program’s host Grant Denyer in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The 10 contestants are as follows;
– Adrian Cottrell, Aussie Racing Cars/F3
– Jesse Dixon, Formula Ford/V8 Utes
– Sarah Harley, Production cars
– Ryal Harris, V8 Utes
– Andre Heimgartner, Carrera Cup/V8 SuperTourers
– Jack Le Brocq, Formula Ford
– Andrew McLean, Journalist
– Ed Sevadjian, American driver
– Samantha Stevens, Journalist/tarmac rally competitor
– Glen Wood, Formula Ford
The winner of the competition will drive the #77 Shannons Supercar Showdown Commodore, prepared by Minda Motorsport, at Mount Panorama. Regardless of who takes out the prize, it will be their Bathurst 1000 debut.
Unlike last year, the car will not be run by the Kelly Racing team, who has passed on the responsibility to Minda. CLICK HERE for more on the car’s preparation details.
Program co-host and V8 Supercars driver Rick Kelly says that diversity is the theme for the selected group of contestants.
“We have drivers coming from local and international categories, from open wheelers, to Carrera Cup through to rallying,” Kelly said.
“We cast the net wide and I think we have the right mix of experience and competitive edge to produce a very worthy winner.”
Entrants include a mix of youth and experience. Aussie Racing Cars champion Adrian Cottrell, V8 Utes front-runner Ryal Harris, plus Formula Ford drivers Glen Wood and Jesse Dixon are expected to be amongst the front-runners.
New Zealander Andre Heimgartner, 16, is also likely to challenge for the Bathurst drive, given that he has split his time this year between Australian Carrera Cup and V8 SuperTourer racing.
Jack Le Brocq enters the competition with a fine resume. Currently driving for the CAMS Rising Star Formula Ford team, the 19-year-old is a member of the FIA Institute Young Driver Excellence Academy.
The international flavour in this year’s show comes through Texan Ed Sevadjian, a regular in Corvette racing in America.
Two females have also been given their chance, with production car driver Sarah Hurley and tarmac rally expert Samantha Stevens enlisted by the producers.
The final slot goes to a member of the media. Motor Magazine’s editor Andrew MacLean set to test his skills against his junior rivals.
Shannons Supercar Showdown will air for the first time on Monday, July 23 at 6.30pm on 7Mate. The program is jointly produced by WTFN and The Media Mix.
See below for a tease to Season 2 of the Shannons Supercar Showdown
