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Tony D’Alberto is a V8 Supercar driver that has been catching the attention of the paddock in 2010.
In his third season in the Series D’Alberto has achieved a string of top ten qualifying positions and top ten race finishes. It is a marked improvement from the Centaur Racing driver who struggled for consistency in his first two seasons after moving to the ‘main game’ following his Championship win in the Fujitsu V8 Supercars Development Series in 2007. D’Alberto’s performance is made all the more incredible by the fact that the Centaur Racing Commodore he is defeating his rivals with is the oldest VE in the field. D’Alberto had been sitting in 15th in the Championship going into the last round in Townsville, where after a promising performance in practice on Friday he had a disastrous weekend, seeing him slip back to 18th.
During the mid season break in the V8 Supercars Championship I had the opportunity to ask Tony about his season so far and expectations for the remainder of the 2010 season.
With a DNF in each of the races in Townsville you had a round to forget. How do you bounce back from a weekend like that?
Yep definitely not a good round for the team. The car had a lot of speed though which is always nice. We were 5th quickest in Friday practice and set the 2nd quickest time in race one. The race team has responded really well, all the boys have their heads down, working really hard on making sure we don’t have those problems again. Sunday’s race was my fault, I made a move on Rick Kelly that didn’t work and I paid the price. It’s often difficult trying to pass drivers with lots of experience, they certainly don t make it easy!
Townsville aside, your 2010 performance has been a revelation. It’s certainly surprised a number of people in the paddock, but has it surprised you?
To be honest, it hasn’t surprised me or the team, but it has surprised the teams up and down pitlane and the general public that’s for sure! At the beginning of the season, I sat down with my engineer and wrote down my goals, at the half way point of the year we are looking ok, pretty close to what we set out to achieve. A few more good results during the back half of this year will hopefully see me reach my goals.
What do you think has changed in 2010 to see you in this position?
There have been a few changes within the team; I think the biggest change was the purchase of our own racing licence. For the last 2 years Rod Nash owned the licence that we raced under, this year we are independent. While I had a good relationship with Rod, I think there were a few too many chiefs pulling in different directions. This year also the team has a stronger link with Walkinshaw Racing, which has helped in a big way, my engineer Jason Bush is employed by Walkinshaw to look after the engineering of my car.
You’re currently sitting in 16th in the Championship, what is your Championship position goal for the end of the season?
I would like to finish the year in the top half of the championship, Townsville has hurt my championship goals, but there still is a lot of racing to go, especially with the endurance races coming up.
Are you a supporter of the mid season break in that has been implemented in 2010? How will you be spending it?
I support the mid season break, the teams didn’t get much of a break over Christmas and this year will be the same. It is a great opportunity to catch up and improve the team. I had a short break, but I’m back into it now, I want to try and get a head start on all of the others!
You’ve had some great results at the endurance races in the past, how are you feeling about this year’s endurance races?
I’m pretty relaxed about them. Shane Price will be joining me for those races; I have known Shane all my life and I know he will do a great job. This year will be the strongest that we have ever entered the endurance races. The car is on song, the team has a few years under its belt now and each year I gain that bit more experience. I can’t wait until Bathurst, I love the track and we have had some great races up there in the past.
What do you love most about racing in the Australian V8 Supercars Series?
I love how competitive the field is. Some qualifying sessions there will be less than a second that covers the whole field. I don’t know any other professional motorsport category that is even close to that. Also I love how Aussie the category is, big V8 engines, 650hp, rear wheel drive, can’t get any more Aussie than that.
How do you like to spend your time away from the track?
I like hanging out at home with my fiancé Steff and my dog. During the season I’m away alot not only with racing, but sponsor commitments. I also do a lot of driver tuition days all around the country. So I spend the weekends I have off just around home chilling out.
Tell me something which not many people know about you.
I can juggle! I learnt when I was at school during lunch breaks. Pretty strange I know!
What does the future hold for Tony D’Alberto?
Who knows really? I want to prove myself as driver. I would love to get to the stage where I can be challenging for race wins and ultimately the championship. I won the Fujitsu Championship and I want to win the main championship, no Fujitsu Champion has achieved that. I would also love to do the odd overseas endurance race, that would be exciting! Chelsea Woods Girlracer magazine
Worth checking - Motorsport news - F1 news - Chelsea Woods
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Great read Chelsea, really interesting and informative, i love reading your colums, keep up the good work, isnt Tony a real sweety, i met him in Hamilton and he was so lovely polite.
