He is also one of only two drivers to have raced on the longer Grand Prix layout in Bahrain, which will be used by V8 Supercars for the first time this weekend for two 200-kilometre races.
JACK DANIEL'S RACING QUOTEBOARD
Todd Kelly - #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:
QUESTION: Given that you didn't score many points in Abu Dhabi, do you need to be conservative here in Bahrain or do you attack full-on?
"I'm looking at it as more of a fresh start," said Todd Kelly.
"The first round was a disaster and I've put that behind me.
"This track looks unreal. We had the car working really well last time we were at this place and the bit that they've added is a really cool piece of track.
"It looks like it will be really enjoyable to drive on and I can't wait to get out there and see what the car will do.
"I'm a lot more confident this weekend, especially with how we have gone here in the past."
QUESTION: You are one of the few drivers who has raced on the longer version of the Bahrain track. Are you pleased that we now include the extra section of the circuit?
"I was here in the Chevrolet Lumina Series cars when they first came over here. It wasn't all that many miles and it was a long time ago, but it was a really enjoyable piece of track and when we did come here to race our cars I was pretty disappointed that we didn't get to use it.
"I've said each year we raced here how much of a shame it is to be leaving all that track up there on the hill and not using it so it's great to come back here and finally get to drive on it in our Jack Daniel's Commodores."
Rick Kelly - #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:
"I definitely believe we can take our pace from Abu Dhabi into Bahrain," said Rick Kelly.
"I think that something we can carry over to the next event is actually how well our team is working together.
"It's unreal at the moment, especially between Swenno (David Swenson, Race Engineer, #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore) and I - it's like we've been working together for 10 years.
"The confidence we gained from Abu Dhabi as a team is great and the car pace we had with the #15 Jack Daniel's Commodore was good. We can fiddle with what we've got a little bit, refine it and aim to be even better in Bahrain.
"I think the fact that the track is longer this year is a bonus because we performed well last week at a track we have never been to before in Abu Dhabi, so on the new layout we should again be strong and certainly I am aiming to be in the top five."
KEY FACTS:
- Todd Kelly one of select few to have driven on Bahrain GP layout ...
* Jack Daniel's Racing driver Todd Kelly is one of only a handful of drivers in this weekend's V8 Supercar field to have driven on the 5.41-kilometre 'Grand Prix' layout of the Bahrain International Circuit
* Kelly and fellow Holden driver Garth Tander were guest drivers in the Chevrolet Lumina Series event in Bahrain at the 2006 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahraini Grand Prix
- Todd Kelly has strong form in overseas events ...
* Todd Kelly won the first Asian event in V8 Supercar history by winning at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2005 (winning Race 1, Race 3 and the event overall)
* Todd Kelly also scored a race win (Race 3) and second overall at the first V8 Supercar event held in the Middle East at the Bahrain International Circuit in 2006
- Kellys welcome DFS aboard for Middle East double header ...
* Todd and Rick Kelly will welcome DFS Galleria to their team for the V8 Supercar events in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. DFS signage will be paired with 'Jack Lives Here' branding on the two distinctive black Commodores driven by the Kelly brothers, with Jack Daniel's logos removed from the cars, equipment and team uniforms for the two events in the Middle East
* DFS is the world's leading luxury retailer catering to the travelling public. Founded in 1960, DFS operates more than 200 stores including Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Japan, New Zealand, Guam and Hawaii
* The round DFS logo will replace the 'Old No 7' logo that usually adorns the bonnet of the two Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodores. The team's familiar Jack Daniel's Racing livery will return for the first Australian event of the 2010 season at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide on March 11-14
GULF AIR DESERT 400 DETAILS:
Circuit: Bahrain International Circuit
Location: Sakhir, Bahrain
Circuit Length: 5.41 kilometres
Format: 200km race Saturday and Sunday
2008 Pole Winner: Jamie Whincup
2008 Race 1 Winner: Jamie Whincup
2008 Race 2 Winner: Jamie Whincup
2008 Race 3 Winner Jamie Whincup
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Times below are local Bahrain Times (GMT + 3 hours)
Thursday 25 February
11:20am – 12:00pm: Practice 1 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
12:30pm – 1:10pm: Practice 2 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
1:40pm – 2:20pm: Practice 3
2:50pm – 3:30pm: Practice 4
Friday 26 February
11:10am – 11:30am: Qualifying (20 minutes)
12:00pm: Top 10 Shootout
3:35pm: Race 1 (Series Race 3) – 37 laps
Saturday 27 February
12:20pm – 12:40pm: Qualifying
3:35pm –Race 2 (Series Race 4) – 37 laps
WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Times below are Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Times (GMT + 11 hours)
Thursday 25 February
7:20pm – 8:00pm: Practice 1 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
8:30pm – 9:10pm: Practice 2 (Rookies & Lower 50%)
9:40pm – 10:20pm: Practice 3
10:50pm – 11:30pm: Practice 4
Friday 26 February
7:10pm – 7:30pm: Qualifying (20 minutes)
8:00pm: Top 10 Shootout
11:35pm: Race 1 (Series Race 3) – 37 laps
Saturday 27 February
8:20pm – 8:40pm: Qualifying
11:35pm –Race 2 (Series Race 4) – 37 laps
TELEVISION SCHEDULE – SEVEN NETWORK
Times subject to amendment – please check local guides
Saturday 27 February 2010
1:30pm – 4:30pm AEDST (V8 Supercars Race 1)
Sunday 28 February 2010
1:30pm – 4:30pm AEDST (V8 Supercars Race 2)
