The Crittenden Automotive Library

ENGINEERING CHANGES AT SBR

Topics: Paul Forgie

ENGINEERING CHANGES AT SBR

Stone Brothers Racing
September 2, 2011

In pursuit of its first V8 Supercar Championship since 2005, SBR have made some radical changes to its engineering department with the departure of Shane van Gisbergen’s engineer Paul Forgie.

“While it is a great shame to lose someone of Paul’s experience and talent, we have to look at the bigger picture in our chase for another Championship,” Team co-owner Ross Stone said.

“Drivers and engineers need to have a certain chemistry and unfortunately in Paul and Shane’s garage, the collaboration probably wasn’t as good as it should be,” Stone added.

“It's disappointing to be leaving SBR especially in the middle of the season. I don't feel I have done anything wrong, just not enough right as we are only third in the championship and not leading by 200 points,” Paul Forgie said.

“Since returning to SBR in 2009 and working with Shane we have set goals each year which we have not always met … although the #9 Falcon is the only Ford to win this year, our poor qualifying has really let us down … so when you’re performing below expectations some frustration's creep in to the relationship.

“V8 Supercars is a very competitive commercial business and like any professional sport if things aren't working as well as they should be, changes need to be made - you see football coaches, players and drivers all get changed when performance expectations are not met,” Forgie added.

“I have enjoyed my time and successes over the last 10 years working for SBR and wish Shane and the Team all the best for the future,” he concluded.

Ross Stone also praised Forgie for his service to the Team;

“We appreciate all the hard work and success Paul has brought the Team over the last two years and wish him all the best - no doubt we’ll be seeing him again in pit-lane soon.”

Former SBR engineer and current Team Manager David Stuart will replace Forgie in the interim.