V8 Supercars stalwarts Tony D’Alberto and Dean Fiore say they must shutout uncertainty over their driving futures as they line-up for today’s season final.
The duo are in danger of bowing out of full-time drives after a combined 332 championship race starts amid the economic crunch currently gripping the category.
D’Alberto’s eponymous team and Fiore’s Triple F Racing are both understood to have elected against entering their Racing Entitlements Contracts for the new season prior to the recent December 1 deadline.
Both say they are working on deals that could yet see them make the 2014 grid, although neither will re-appear in their current form.
D’Alberto’s team is set to be disbanded at season’s end due to the difficulties of making an externally operated customer team viable.
The former Development Series winner’s driving future now hinges on whether he can raise enough budget to join an existing team; be it with or without his REC.
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“It’s potentially my last (as a full-time driver), but we’re still trying to put a few deals together for next year,” D’Alberto told Speedcafe.com after scoring a strong sixth place finish on Saturday.
“This type of result helps but it certainly doesn’t turn straight into money and that’s what we need to find.
“The offers are there but we’ve got to bring quite a lot of money. Everyone is battling up and down pitlane and we’re working really hard on trying to secure support.
“We’ve got to put that out of our mind and just focus on finishing the year as well as we can.”
Fiore’s REC was meanwhile rendered homeless after Dick Johnson Racing’s recent decision to buy Paul Morris’ license.
Although not keen to talk about his REC’s position, Fiore admits that his season as a driver with Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has been taxing.
“It’s been hard for me to try and keep myself up and I’ve been shattered in terms of my confidence as a driver,” he told Speedcafe.com.
“At the end of the day that’s what this game is all about. If you don’t have any confidence you’re going to struggle.
“That has hindered my opportunities for next year, but there are a few out there and I’m hopeful to be on the grid in some capacity.
“At the same time I’m also open to look at other things as well.”
Others that could be facing their last V8 Supercars starts as full-time drivers today include internationals Alexandre Premat and Maro Engel.
Both claim to have contracts with their respective Garry Rogers and Erebus teams for next season, although Engel is guaranteed to lose his ride following Erebus’ reduction to two cars.
Dick Johnson Racing’s Tim Blanchard, Brad Jones Racing’s David Wall and Team Jeld-Wen’s Alex Davison are in the thick of the driver market, while Russell Ingall and Jonathon Webb appear destined for retirement.
Webb turned around a dire run of form to drive one of the race’s of his career on Saturday in Sydney, finishing second behind Jamie Whincup.
His Tekno Autosports operation is expected to scale back to a single car outfit, however, with Webb stepping into a management role.
“From the side of the team my involvement there (next year) is to give Shane everything we possibly can to come back and give Jamie a run for his money for that number one,” Webb said post-race.
“There’s obviously a lot going on in my life. My wife’s pregnant and she currenly runs the business, so we just need to reshuffle where we’re at.
“For me I’m just going to enjoy it. Potentially tomorrow is my last. We could recover something and I’ll be back in March again or it could be it, I’m done.
“I’m just going to go out and try to win the race.”
