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ROOMMATE COMPLETES SBR’S ENDURO TEAM

Topics: Daniel Gaunt

ROOMMATE COMPLETES SBR’S ENDURO TEAM

Stone Brothers Racing
August 13, 2009

Shane van Gisbergen’s kiwi roommate, Daniel Gaunt has been confirmed as SBR’s final driver in their 2009 enduro season line-up. Currently contesting in the Fujistu V8 Supercar Series under the McElrea Racing entry, Gaunt is the second co-driver confirmed beside fellow kiwi John McIntyre for this year’s L&H Phillip Island 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 endurance events.

Twenty-four year old Gaunt got his first taste of V8 Supercars last year when he made his debut for Team Kiwi Racing driving the all black falcon in the final two events of the season, Symmons Plains and Oran Park. Daniel currently races a SBR BF chassis in the Fujistu V8 Supercar Series and recently scored his first podium result, finishing 3rd overall at this year’s Sandown event.

The two-time New Zealand Grand Prix Trophy winner is thrilled to be confirmed as the fourth driver in SBR’s 2009 endurance campaign.

Daniel Gaunt – Co-driver, IRWIN Racing

“I grew up watching Bathurst so it’s pretty exciting to think that now I am actually going to be competing in it myself and racing against some of my childhood heroes!

“Shane [van Gisbergen] and I spend a lot of time racing each other on the simulator at home, now it’s the real deal and we will actually get to race against one another.

“John [McIntyre] is obviously a very well established driver in New Zealand. He has great experience and is very professional so I will be looking to learn from him.

“I did a driver evaluation day with SBR a year ago which was an awesome opportunity, it’s hard to believe that twelve months later I am racing for them in the enduros. I am so grateful for all the support I have been given by both SBR and McElrea Racing.”

Ross Stone – SBR Team Principal

“In 2007 I went to Mansfield in New Zealand to watch Shane [van Gisbergen] race in the Formula Toyota single seater series and his teammate at the time was Daniel Gaunt. On that day while Shane qualified well Daniel went on to win both races and since then I have kept a close eye on him.

“Daniel really proved his ability that day and I am confident that he will do well in the IRWIN Racing Falcon at Phillip Island and Bathurst. Having Daniel join the team for the enduros is all part of our relationship and ongoing support of Andy McElrea Racing.”

SBR will run both Daniel Gaunt and John McIntyre at an upcoming driver evaluation day to be held at QLD Raceway on the 31st of August. The day will allow for both drivers to get some experience behind the wheel of the SBR FG Falcons as part of their enduro season preparation.

WHO IS DANIEL GAUNT?

Prior to arriving in V8 Supercars, Gaunt has achieved great things in junior categories. He won the Australian Drivers Championship for Formula Holden open wheelers in 2003 before competing in the United States and returning to win the NZ Toyota Racing Series open wheeler title in 2006 and 2007, including taking victory in the 2007 and 2009 New Zealand Grand Prix. A move into Porsche racing saw him second only to Craig Baird in the 2008 GT3 Cup in New Zealand and now he links with expat Kiwi Andy McElrea’s new team. McElrea has plenty of experience from his involvement with Paul Cruickshank’s team and had been intending to compete in Carrera Cup, however he now joins the Fujitsu Series in an ex Stone Brothers Falcon raced last year by James Courtney and Shane Van Gisbergen.

DRIVER STATS

D.O.B: 27/02/1985
Birthplace: Auckland, NZ
Resides : Gold Coast, QLD
Height: 172cms
Weight: 67kgs

CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS/RESULTS

2009
Fujitsu V8 Supercars Series
Championship Standing 5th – 744 Points (Current)
Best Finish –Townsville, Race 3 - 2nd Place
Best Result – Sandown 3rd overall
New Zealand Grand Prix Winner

2008
Battery Town Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge
2nd Daniel Gaunt - 679 Points
2007
Toyota Racing Series Champion
1st Daniel Gaunt - 9 Race Wins
New Zealand Grand Prix Winner
Lady Wigram Trophy Winner
A1GP Rookie Driver

2006
Toyota Racing Series Champion
1st Daniel Gaunt - 7 Race Wins
International Series Trophy Winner

2005
Toyota Racing Series - 3rd Overall

2004
Formula 3, Lady Wigram Trophy Winner

2003
Formula Holden Champion
Australian Drivers Champion/ Gold Star Winner

2002
Formula Ford New Zealand Grand Prix - 3rd Overall

2001
South Island, New Zealand Formula Ford Champion