V8 Supercars launched in Brisbane.

by Matthew Agius

The 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series was officially launched at the Brisbane Motor Show yesterday, as fans turned out to meet their favourite drivers and see their new cars for this year's championship.

In attendance were Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and Minister for Sport Tom Benton, V8 Supercar chairman Tony Cochrane, and Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman.

"Today has provided V8 Supercar fans with a unique opportunity to experience the colour and excitement of the sport whilst getting up-close-and-personal with their heroes," said Tony Cochrane.

"It was a high octane atmosphere that has filled visitors with the buzz of V8 Supercar racing, laying the foundation for an exciting season start at Clipsal 500 in three weeks time."

As 2006 is the tenth anniversary of the inception of V8 Supercars, series champions including Glenn Seton (Jeld-Wen Motorsport endurance driver), Craig Lowndes (Team Betta Electrical), Mark Skaife (Holden Racing Team) and Russell Ingall (Caltex Racing), and were present the cutting of a celebratory cake for the series.

Every team and their respective liveries for 2006 were on show at the launch - including the previously unreleased WPS Racing livery and a somewhat bland Team Kiwi Racing car.

The launch marks the two-week run before the season opening Clipsal 500 Adelaide. The 2006 series will also feature the addition of a Bahrain championship round, with an event at Winton replacing the former Shanghai round.

The entry list for the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series is as follows;

1. Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing, BA Falcon
2. Mark Skaife, Holden Racing Team, VZ Commodore
3. Jason Richards, Tasman Motorsport, VZ Commodore
4. James Courtney, Jeld-Wen Motorsport, BA Falcon
5. Mark Winterbottom, Ford Credit Racing, BA Falcon
6. Jason Bright, Caterpillar Racing, BA Falcon
7. Steven Richards, Jack Daniels Racing, VZ Commodore
8. Jason Bargwanna, WPS Racing, BA Falcon
10. Max Wilson, WPS Racing, BA Falcon
11. Paul Dumbrell, Jack Daniels Racing, VZ Commodore
12. John Bowe, Team BOC, BA Falcon
14. Brad Jones, Team BOC, BA Falcon
15. Rick Kelly, Toll HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
16. Garth Tander, Toll HSV Dealer Team, VZ Commodore
17. Steven Johnson, Dick Johnson Racing, BA Falcon
18. Will Davison, Dick Johnson Racing, BA Falcon
20. Marcus Marshall, Glenfords Tools Racing, BA Falcon
22. Todd Kelly, Holden Racing Team, VZ Commodore
23. Andrew Jones, Tasman Motorsport, VZ Commodore
25. Warren Luff, Fujitsu Racing, BA Falcon
26. Jose Fernandez, Fujitsu Racing, BA Falcon
33. Lee Holdsworth, Garry Rogers Motorsport, VZ Commodore
34. Dean Canto, Garry Rogers Motorsport, VZ Commodore
39. Alan Gurr/Fabian Coulthard, Team Sirromet Wines, VZ Commodore
50. Cameron McConville, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
51. Greg Murphy, Super Cheap Auto Racing, VZ Commodore
55. Steve Owen, Autobarn Racing, VZ Commodore
67. Paul Morris, Team Sirromet Wines, VZ Commodore
88. Jamie Whincup, Team Betta Electrical, BA Falcon
021. Paul Radisich, Team Kiwi Racing, VZ Commodore
888. Craig Lowndes, Team Betta Electrical, BA Falcon