Championship title targeted by JDR.

Larry Perkins' new-look outfit has one objective for the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series - to take the title - and is using the presence of a new title sponsor and hence new look-team to fuel the fires of competitiveness.

With drivers Steven Richards, a double Bathurst winner and nicknamed 'the Accumulator' of the V8 Supercar Championship, and Paul Dumbrell - a fiery young gun in his fourth year with the team at the wheel of the team's two VZ Commodores, Perkins' is hoping the addition of new title sponsor Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey will provide the boost needed for the team to clinch an elusive V8 crown.

"Today's unveiling of the Jack Daniel's Racing team marks an exciting new chapter in Perkins Motorsport's history, which already includes three Bathurst victories, two Sandown 500 wins and three series runner-up finishes," said Perkins.

"The direction of our team fits Jack Daniel's marketing goals perfectly while their unrivalled support lifts everything - from team presentation to our on-track competitiveness - to an entirely new level.

"The focus for Jack Daniel's Racing is clear - win the V8 Supercar Championship."

Team leader Steven Richards, who will be competing in his fifth championship as a Perkins Motorsport driver, echoed Perkins' thoughts.

"The new Jack Daniel's Racing Commodores look tough and menacing and they certainly stand out from the pack. And who says good guys can't wear black?" said Richards.

"This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone involved in the team. A sponsor like Jack Daniel's does not fall out of the sky very often and the timing could not be better.

"Their participation gives us the platform for more development, and that will help us take that next step up and, hopefully, win the championship - that's our goal."

Reflecting on the international sponsorship strategies of Jack Daniel's (such as the expansion into American NASCAR), Managing Director of the brand's Australian division Michael McShane is anticipating a productive year both on and off-track with Perkins Engineering.

"We believe that bringing together iconic brands like Jack Daniel's and Perkins Motorsport is very exciting. For our fans, our consumers and race fans everywhere, we believe it's going to be a win-win situation for everyone involved," said McShane.

"Jack Daniel's has a long track record of promoting responsible consumption and that is the same message we will be sending to V8 Supercar fans.

"V8 Supercars has a predominantly adult audience which fits with Jack Daniel's policy of only partnering with events, venues, media and sponsorships that attract a more than 70 per cent adult audience, giving us a significant opportunity to get our message across."

Competing in one of the toughest tin-top championships in the world, Jack Daniel's Racing will have a tough challenge ahead of it with the likes of Stone Brothers Racing, Triple Eight Race Engineering, the Holden Racing Team and the HSV Dealer Team all finishing strongly to their 2005 campaigns. However with the expanded program into the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series for the first time in 2006 - fielding two Commodores for Shane Price and Jack Perkins - the Perkins Motorsport/Jack Daniel's partnership is heading into a promising future.