Radisich names replacement

HPM Racing team driver Paul Radisich has named fellow Melbourne V8 racing resident Steve Owen as his interim replacement for this weekend’s V8s racing at Pukekohe.
Radisich, who currently holds the overall lead after the opening round of the 2008/09 season held at Taupo in early October, was seriously injured in a practise crash at Bathurst the weekend following.

Still requiring hospital treatment for his injuries, Radisich has given the 33-year old Owen the opportunity to run the 777 HPM Racing Ford around the 2.841km Pukekohe circuit.

“Steve is a very experienced, fast and consistent driver and is well capable of winning races in the New Zealand V8s series,” Radisich said of the current leader in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar development series.

“While I’ve said to the team not to discount me late in the season, it is important to keep getting winning results and Steve is in a good position to do that.”

With a 255 point lead in the Australian V8 series, Owen’s final championship round in early December leaves him free to run in the New Zealand class.

Owen will test the 777 HPM Racing Ford on Tuesday and Wednesday in preparation for his New Zealand touring car debut in the weekend (7-9 November). His first lap of the south-Auckland circuit will be on Friday when teams’ get two opportunities to test before the three-heat qualifying on Saturday.