Left: Geoff Emery is set to make a serious assault on the Fujitsu Series in 2008 after buying Mark Skaife’s Holden VZ Commodore.By Marc McGowan
AFTER winning a fifth Commodore Cup last season, Narre Warren’s Geoff Emery is preparing for one of the biggest challenges of his motor racing career.
With little more to prove in the category, Emery will make the leap into the Fujitsu Series, which is just one step away from the elite V8 Supercar class.
He competed in the Fujitsu Series for one season two years ago, but now has the machinery to make a serious imprint on the competition – Holden superstar Mark Skaife’s VZ Commodore.
Skaife drove the exact vehicle to pole position at the 2006 Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama.
New Zealander Kane Scott used the high-powered car in the Fujitsu Series last year, but has earned a spot in V8 Supercars with Team Kiwi Racing.
That opened the door for Emery to buy the VZ Commodore and he could not be happier.
“We decided over the Christmas break that the Commodore Cup was not heading in the direction we wanted to go in,” he said.
“It’s a very good start. To start off with the best equipment means all the pressure is on me to perform.”
Emery will have his long-time TAG Motorsport team-mate Tony Bates alongside him in the category, which will see him reaching speeds in excess of 300 km/h.
While he did not disclose the amount it will cost to compete in the Fujitsu Series, Emery revealed that it is “three or four times more” than his budget in the Commodore Cup.
“It is absolutely critical that you’re spot on with everything, like the suspension and chassis adjustments,” he said.
“In my first year running my own team, I think aiming at finishing in the top half a dozen is a fair expectation.”
Emery also announced a partnership with Walkinshaw Performance, who are the suppliers to Holden Racing Team and Holden Special Vehicles.
“It should be good fun,” he said.
“We’re still negotiating with sponsors, but we’re hoping to work something out soon.”
Picture: Stewart Chambers.
