Two-time MotoGP champion Casey Stoner "has his sights on conquering Bathurst's Mount Panorama" after he signed a one-year deal to drive a V8 Supercar, according to James Phelps of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Stoner ended "seven months of speculation" by confirming he will drive a Red Bull-backed Triple Eight Holden in the Dunlop Series. Stoner also revealed the reason he walked out on a MotoGP contract worth more than $15M a year. Stoner has given himself just 12 months to "find his feet in the V8 series." Signing on to drive in the Dunlop Series -- the V8 Supercars' feeder category -- Stoner said that he would "reconsider his options at the end of the season if he wasn't enjoying life behind the wheel." Stoner said, "It is a trial year to see how I go and how I like the sport. We are definitely making a commitment to it, but at the same time we don't want to go too deep in case it is not for us" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 1/27).
STONER'S SPONSOR: Former V8 Supercars championship-winning sponsor Pirtek will co-sponsor Stoner's Red Bull Holden in the Dunlop Series. Stoner confirmed his entry into the full seven-round Dunlop Series making the switch from MotoGP. Stoner's Red Bull/Pirtek livery is set to be unveiled Feb. 27. Pirtek Group GM Stephen Dutton said that the chance to partner with Stoner was the catalyst for re-entering the sport. Dutton said, "We have always been keen to play a role in the development of young talent, whether that is in the general community or on the race track, football field, golf course or athletics track" (Pirtek).
