Toll Holden Racing Team star Garth Tander says that the recent birth of his first child will not affect his on-track performance this weekend.
The 2007 V8 Supercars champion and wife Leanne welcomed daughter Scarlett into the world last week, just days prior to inking a new three year deal with the factory Holden squad.
“A lot of people have said that fatherhood slows you down, but having Scarlett on the scene is definitely not going to do that with me,” said Tander.
“In all honesty I now have to put food on the table, for not only myself and Leanne, but also for Scarlett and the best way to do that is go out and win races.”
Tander sits seventh in the 2011 title chase after a disastrous run last time out in Darwin.
Having finished on the podium in all four V8 Supercars races held on the Reid Park Street Circuit since the Townsville 400’s inception in 2009, Tander is expecting to bounce back strongly this weekend.
“Darwin’s one of those meetings we would all just like to forget,” he said.
“It’s important that we all learn from it, but in the time between there and Townsville I’ve had the biggest day of my life with our first child being born.
“You very quickly forget about a bad weekend and think about the good things in life with Scarlett.
“Now that everyone’s happy, healthy and at home, and Scarlett’s getting into a routine with Leanne it’s time for me to go to work and do the job.
“There would be no better way to celebrate than having a win and that’s what we’re planning to do in Townsville.”
Practice for the 2011 Sucrogen Townsville 400 kicks off Friday at 10:25am.
Coming to Townsville for the V8 Supercars? Make sure you secure your ticket to the official V8 after party at The Greenroom, sponsored by Speedcafe.com, Jack Daniel’s and Love My. CLICK HERE to buy your $10 ticket.
See below for Speedcafe.com’s Townsville V8 Race Guide
