Kelly Racing co-owners Rick and Todd Kelly will end their long association with Holden by running a pair of tribute bonnets on the two Jack Daniel’s Holdens in Sydney this weekend.
Although Tim Blanchard continues to drive the #7 entry while Todd Kelly recovers from post-Bathurst shoulder surgery, the two bonnets feature a range of statistics from the careers of the two Kellys with Holden.
The four-car Kelly Racing operation will morph into a Nissan factory team next year, campaigning the Japanese brand’s yet-to-be-released Altima model.
Todd and Rick Kelly have made all of their combined 707 V8 Supercars Championship race starts with Holden having both enjoyed extensive careers with the factory Walkinshaw Racing outfit prior to starting their own team in 2009.
“It’s very important for both Todd and I to remember where we have come from and that we have been able to achieve the things we have because of the great support of companies like Holden,” said Rick Kelly ahead of the weekend.
“The unique bonnet liveries that we will run this weekend are a great way for us to show this.
“The final laps of Sunday’s race won’t be taken lightly, and we hope to be able to finish this great and successful relationship on as higher note as possible.”
The Kellys have raced without Holden branding on their cars over the last three years after the manufacturer cut back its support of the young team to a parts-only deal following its rookie season.
See below for the statistics displayed on the respective bonnets
Todd Kelly – #7 bonnet (to be used by Tim Blanchard)
381 Race Starts
58 Top 3 Finishes
16 Years with Holden
2005 Bathurst Champion
173 Rounds completed
2003 Sandown 500 Champion
18 Race Wins
Rick Kelly – #15 bonnet
153 Rounds completed
12 Years with Holden
51 Top 3 Finishes
Youngest Bathurst winner
326 Race Starts
2003 & 2004 Bathurst Champion
12 Race Wins
2006 Series Champion