Russell Ingall admits that continuing in the V8 Supercars Championship full-time remains a possibility, despite the weekend’s Sydney 500 having been billed as his farewell.
The 49-year-old’s name was in the thick of the driver market speculation at Sydney Olympic Park, with a seat at Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport said to be a possibility.
Ingall told Speedcafe.com that he was aware of talk linking him to several teams, but stopped short of elaborating on discussions.
The veteran has made it clear in recent months that his stage managed ‘retirement season’ has come at the behest of sponsor Supercheap Auto, rather than at his own volition.
“The next couple of weeks will definitely tell whether it (my future) will be within V8 Supercars, (be it in) TV or a drive,” Ingall told Speedcafe.com.
“It would have to be something special,” he added of a race return.
“I wouldn’t want to scratch around the back of the field just for something to do.
“There’s a lot to consider and I will just see what happens.
“There will be a lot of meetings between now and the end of the year. I have to see what is the best for my family long term to consider.”
Ingall believes that he can still be competitive if given an opportunity to continue.
“At the end of day I think I’ve proved I can still drive,” Ingall said.
“If an opportunity did come about… I don’t think I disgraced myself this year.
“If it wasn’t for a few mechanical things I would have finished in the top 10 in the championship.”
Lucas Dumbrell confirmed to Speedcafe.com that he has spoken with the two-time Bathurst winner about a 2014 drive, although stressed that he has held discussions with a host of potential pilots.
The minnow outfit is understood to have entered just one of its two Racing Entitlements Contracts prior to the December 1 deadline, but is continuing to chase funding and drivers for two cars.
Dumbrell echoed Ingall’s thoughts on his continued competitiveness.
“He had a podium on the Gold Coast and a host of top 10 finishes; he’s been outperforming a lot of younger guys,” said Dumbrell of Ingall.
“Whether he’s got five more years in him, I don’t know and that’s not my call, but he’s absolutely got another year in him; he’s driving at a very competitive level.
“It would be fantastic to have Russell in one car and a Dunlop Series graduate in the other, but at the end of the day it’ll be commercially related.”
Recently crowned Dunlop Series winner Dale Wood is understood to be another potential candidate for an LDM seat.
Dumbrell added that his team will “100 percent” be based from its existing Melbourne workshop next year, dismissing suggestions of a potential move to Queensland to link with Tekno Autosports.
