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Jack Perkins (racing driver)

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Jack Perkins
Perkins at Mike Pero Pukekohe 500 2013
NationalityAustralia Australian
Born (1986-08-22) 22 August 1986 (age 38)
Melbourne, Victoria
Related toLarry Perkins (father)
Eddie Perkins (grandfather)
V8 Supercars
Years active2006–2016
TeamsPerkins Motorsport
Kelly Racing
James Rosenberg Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
Garry Rogers Motorsport
Charlie Schwerkolt Racing
Holden Racing Team
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport
Starts132
Wins1
Poles0
Best finish23rd in 2014
Previous series
2005
2005
2006–11
2010
Victorian Formula Ford
Australian Formula Ford
V8 Supercar
Aussie Racing Cars

Jack 'Perko' Perkins (born 22 August 1986) is an Australian V8 Supercar driver who previously drove for Charlie Schwerkolt Racing in the International V8 Supercars Championship. He is the son of retired Australian race driver and former team owner Larry Perkins, in whose team Perkins Engineering, he drove between 2006 and 2008. Initially competing as an endurance race only driver in 2006, in 2007 Perkins graduated to the full-time drive in the #11 Perkins Engineering car, the number made famous in Australian racing by his father. He currently drives for Walkinshaw Racing as a co-driver alongside James Courtney in the Pirtek Enduro Cup series.

Career

Perkins Engineering

The Perkins Engineering team run by his father Larry, ran a two-car Fujitsu Development Series racing program in 2006, leading to Perkins getting the drive in the second #78 car, with Shane Price getting the lead drive in #77.[1] The cars were largely unsponsored, though had a clear association with the main series Jack Daniel's-sponsored Perkins Engineering cars. Perkins and Price were also immediately earmarked to drive the #11 Perkins Engineering car in the 2006 endurance races.

Price was generally faster than Perkins during the Fujitsu series, but Perkins managed to finish third in the championship standings,[2] just behind Price, who was narrowly defeated by Adam Macrow for the title.

In the Sandown 500, Perkins – together with Price – brought the #11 Jack Daniel's Commodore home in 24th position,[3] after Perkins qualified the car in 20th position.[4]

Come the SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Price took over the qualifying duties, and placed the car in 27th position for the race.[5] Perkins started the race, which ended at the end of the first lap, when race favourite Mark Skaife suffered a slipping clutch off the start line, which caused his #2 Holden Racing Team Commodore to fall to the tail of the field. Perkins, arriving blind over the hump in Mountain Straight ploughed into the back of Skaife's ailing car, putting it out on the spot. Perkins limped around to the pits missing a front left wheel, and with an hydraulic brake line on fire. It did not continue in the race.[5]

After the late and sudden departure of both Steven Richards and Paul Dumbrell from the team at the end of 2006, Perkins and Price were elevated to the full-time championship drives for Perkins Engineering in 2007.[6] While it was not ideal for the inexperienced Perkins and Price to suddenly find themselves racing in the main series, while developing new cars, the timing of Richards and Dumbrell's departure left the team without an opportunity to sign an experienced "name" driver, all of whom had committed contracts for 2007.

Perkins had a mixed season in 2007, with some outstanding results such as qualifying in the Top 10 at Winton Raceway, coupled with many disappointing race exits whilst running in strong positions. Although he was generally keeping pace with the more highly rated Shane Price, Jack's performances behind the wheel were suffering towards the end of long stints behind the wheel. It was later found that Perkins was suffering from Type One Diabetes, as described further down in this article.

Perkins returned to the team in 2008 for the endurance races, partnered with Nathan Pretty – finishing 8th at Phillip Island,[7] and 8th at Bathurst[8] – and eventually to the full-time drive from the Indy Grand Prix round of the season onwards, after the slide of form and eventual dumping of Shane Price from the team.[9] Price, who had already been dropped to the position of number two driver, following the arrival of Todd Kelly at the beginning of 2008, was left without a drive. Perkins had already returned to competition in the 2008 Fujitsu Development Series, running a Mack-sponsored Commodore for Independent Race Cars Australia.[10]

Independent Race Cars Australia

After bringing his medical condition under control, Perkins competed in the Fujitsu V8 Development Series in a Perkins Engineering built car, but run by Independent Race Cars Australia in 2008, with a view to a return to a full-time drive in the main championship series in 2009.

Although starting the series strongly in Adelaide,[11] a mid-season slump saw his title chances slide. Seeking an improvement for the end of the season, the car was brought back into the Perkins Engineering workshops from the Bathurst round onwards. With better knowledge of the car, the engineers were able to help Perkins to some better results, culminating in a race[12] and round win at the final round at Oran Park.[13] The end result was a fifth placing in the championship.[14]

Kelly Racing

Perkins returned to the main V8 Supercar championship in 2009 behind the wheel of the #11 Kelly Racing Commodore carrying sponsorship from Dodo Internet.[15] The deal was part of a merger and eventual takeover of Perkins Engineering by the new Kelly Racing. Jack's #11 car for 2009 was the car previously run by Todd Kelly at Perkins Engineering in 2008, chassis number PE047.[16]

The 2009 season was disappointing for Perkins. The new Kelly Racing team was the only four car team in the series and results were thin. By season's end team leaders Rick and Todd Kelly were beginning to gain results but results for Perkins and the team's fourth car did not come and Perkins was not retained into 2010.

Paul Morris Motorsport

Perkins was without a drive for the 2010 season leaving him to pursue a role with Paul Morris Motorsport as a signwriter. This eventually led to a part-time return to the second-tier Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series in a spare PMM Commodore chassis with limited support from the main team. Perkins's performances in the second tier series where strong enough to earn him a call up to James Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, pairing with Tim Slade.

Jack's continued strong 2010 form led to Paul Morris Motorsports team owner, Paul Morris, deciding to personally step down from his own driving duties at the Gold Coast round of the championship where he was scheduled to drive with Russell Ingall to allow Perkins to take over the drive. This stirred the sports traditionalists as it re-ignited the famous "Perkins – Ingall" partnership which Jack's father Larry shared with Russell Ingall, which led to 2 Bathurst 1000 crowns. The two drivers worked well together and performed strongly at the event which led to Paul Morris deciding to sign Perkins to compete in the 2011 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, again pairing with Russell Ingall.

James Rosenberg Racing

Perkins' strong performances in the Fujitsu series in 2010 led to a drive with James Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 endurance races. Perkins and Tim Slade finished the Phillip Island 500 in a strong fifth position equalling the team's best sprint race performance from earlier in the season.

Sonic Motor Racing

Perkins signed a deal with Sonic Motor Racing to compete in the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series with support from Bob Jane T-Marts, Supercheap Auto, Acu-check and Castrol, using a BF Falcon built by Triple 8 Race engineering.

Fujitsu GRM

Perkins signed with Garry Rogers Motorsport, to partner Alexandre Premat for the 2012 V8 Supercar endurance events at the Dick Smith Sandown 500 and SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Perkins returned to GRM for the 2013 V8 Supercars Pirtek Endurance Cup alongside full-time rookie, Scott McLaughlin. The duo matched Perkins previous best result with an 8th at Bathurst. The #33 Commodore was looking strong in the Pirtek Endurance Cup until an electrical issue dogged there challenge at the Amorall Gold Coast 600.

Eggleston Motorsport

Following the opening round of the 2013 V8 Supercar Dunlop Development Series at the Clipsal 500, it was announced that Perkins would drive an Eggleston Motorsport Commodore at the second round at Barbagallo Raceway. Perkins finished the 2013 Dunlop Series 4th in the Driver's Standing even though he missed the opening round in Adelaide.

Jeld Wen Racing (Charlie Schwerkolt Racing)

The Ford FG Falcon of Perkins at the 2014 Coates Hire Ipswich 400

On December 19, 2013, it was announced that Perkins would pilot the #18 Jeld Wen Ford Falcon for the 2014 International V8 Supercars Championship Series. The 2014 Clipsal 500 marked his return to full-time driving since 2009. He was dropped at the end of the season in favour of Lee Holdsworth. Bathurst was the main highlight of the year, with Perkins qualifying in the top ten and making the shootout. A mistake made on the final corner took him to grid position 9, although he was on track to be around position 6. In the late stages of the race, the car was running in the top five, with a chance for a podium result. However, due to a mistake in pit lane whilst re-entering traffic, they were given a penalty. They later finished 12th.

Type 1 diabetes

Shortly before the penultimate round of the 2007 V8 SUpercars Championship Series, Perkins was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes,[17] which forced him to step down from the full-time drive of the #11 Perkins Engineering Commodore. His place was taken by Marcus Marshall for the final two rounds, as Marshall had had a stint with the team in the 2007 endurance races and was familiar with the team and cars.[18]

Perkins gained control over his condition in 2008 and after passing tests for his fitness to regain his racing licence from the governing body of motor sports in Australia, CAMS, he returned to the track in the V8 Supercar Development Series.

Perkins has become a spokesperson for Diabetes Australia, and has held several events to raise money for DA,[19] and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.[20] He maintains personal sponsorship from Accu-Chek, manufacturers of blood sugar test equipment.

Media

Perkins has spent time as a television commentator, often being an analyst for categories such as the Dunlop V8 Supercar Series, Australian GT Championship, as well as speedway's World Series Sprintcars.

Career results

Season Series Position Car Team
2005 Australian Formula Ford Championship 20th Van Diemen RF92 Ford
2005 Victorian Formula Ford Championship 9th Van Diemen RF92 Ford
2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 3rd Holden VZ Commodore Perkins Engineering
2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series 57th Holden VZ Commodore Jack Daniel’s Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series 48th Holden VZ Commodore
Holden VE Commodore
Jack Daniel's Racing
2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 5th Holden VZ Commodore Independent Race Cars Australia
2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series 29th Holden VE Commodore Jack Daniel's Racing
2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series 26th Holden VE Commodore Kelly Racing
2010 Aussie Racing Cars 10th Aurion-Yamaha
2010 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 13th Holden VE Commodore James Rosenberg Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series 37th Ford FG Falcon
Holden VE Commodore
James Rosenberg Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
2011 International V8 Supercars Championship 42nd Holden VE Commodore Paul Morris Motorsport
2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 2nd Ford BF Falcon Sonic Motor Racing Services
2012 V8SuperTourer Championship 10th Holden VE Commodore M3 Racing
2012 International V8 Supercars Championship 45th Holden VE Commodore Garry Rogers Motorsport
2013 International V8 Supercars Championship 39th Holden VF Commodore Garry Rogers Motorsport
2013 V8 Supercar Endurance Cup 10th Holden VF Commodore Garry Rogers Motorsport
2013 Australian GT Trophy 2nd Ginetta G50 GT4 Williams Race Services
2013 V8SuperTourers Championship 14th Holden VE Commodore M3 Racing
2013 Dunlop V8 Supercar Series 4th Holden VE Commodore Eggleston Motorsport
2014 International V8 Supercars Championship 23rd Ford FG Falcon Charlie Schwerkolt Racing
2015 International V8 Supercars Championship 26th Holden VF Commodore Holden Racing Team
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport
2015 Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series 13th Holden VZ Commodore Eggleston Motorsport
2015 Kerrick Sports Sedan Series 4th Audi A4 Auto Union Deutsche

Complete Development Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Position Points
2006 Perkins Engineering Holden VZ Commodore ADE
17
WAK
8
QUE
3
ORA
5
MAL
18
BAT
6
PHI
8
3rd 1597
2008 Independent Race Cars Australia Holden VZ Commodore ADE
2
WAK
7
SAN
23
QUE
23
WIN
2
MOU
5
ORA
1
5th 1399
2010 James Rosenberg Racing Holden VE Commodore ADE QUE
2
WIN
8
TOW MON SAN
5
HOM 13th 661
2011 Sonic Motor Racing Services Ford BF Falcon ADE
8
BAR
4
TOW
3
QUE
7
BAT
3
SAN
2
HOM
3
2nd 1601
2013 Eggleston Motorsport Holden VE Commodore ADE BAR
7
TOW
9
QUE
1
WIN
2
BAT
3
HOM
3
4th 1404

Bathurst 1000 results

Year Number Team Car Co-driver Position Laps
2006 11 Perkins Engineering Holden VZ Commodore Shane Price DNF 1
2007 7 Perkins Engineering Holden VE Commodore Shane Price DNF 102
2008 11 Perkins Engineering Holden VE Commodore Nathan Pretty 8th 161
2009 247 Kelly Racing Holden VE Commodore Dale Wood 14th 160
2010 47 James Rosenberg Racing Ford FG Falcon Tim Slade 18th 161
2011 39 Paul Morris Motorsport Holden VE Commodore Russell Ingall 8th 161
2012 33 Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VE Commodore Alexandre Prémat 16th 161
2013 33 Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden VF Commodore Scott McLaughlin 8th 161
2014 18 Charlie Schwerkolt Racing Ford FG Falcon Cameron Waters 12th 161
2015 22 Holden Racing Team Holden VF Commodore Russell Ingall 11th 161
2016 22 Holden Racing Team Holden VF Commodore James Courtney 13th 161

References

  1. ^ "Jack and Shane Race Here". V8 Supercars Australia. 19 March 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  2. ^ "2006 Fujitsu Development Series Final Standings". Natsoft. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  3. ^ "2006 Betta Electrical Sandown 500 Results". Natsoft. 3 September 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  4. ^ "2006 Betta Electrical Sandown 500 Qualifying". Natsoft. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  5. ^ a b "2006 SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 – Qualifying". Natsoft. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Price and Perkins Jnr step up to main V8 Supercar Series in 2007". V8 Supercars Australia. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  7. ^ "2008 L&H 500 – Phillip Island – Race Results". Natsoft. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  8. ^ "2008 SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 – Race Results". Natsoft. 12 October 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  9. ^ "Price dumped for Perkins". drive.com.au. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Inness, Stuart (22 February 2008). "Canto Grabs Pole Position". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  11. ^ "Steve Owen sends a clear message and wins Fujitsu Series opener". V8 Supercars Australia. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 Round Seven – Race Two Results". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  13. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 Round Seven – Round Points". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  14. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 – Final Points". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  15. ^ "KELLY RACING OPENS ITS DOORS FOR V8 SUPERCAR ASSAULT". Kelly Racing. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ "KELLY BROTHERS UPBEAT AFTER SHAKEDOWN SUCCESS". Kelly Racing. 4 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  17. ^ Kershler, Ray (13 November 2007). "Diabetes puts brakes on Jack Perkins' career". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  18. ^ "Marshall To Replace Perkins At Jack Daniel's". Holden Motor Sport. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  19. ^ "Jack Perkins Walks for a Cure". Diabetes Foundation of Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  20. ^ "Rising V8 Supercar star Jack Perkins races to help kids". V8 Supercars Australia. 18 February 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.