The Viper for Ross Lilly
Ahead of the final round of the 2008 Australian GT Championship to be held at the Sandown circuit in Victoria (November 29-30) new drivers and cars are the order of the day.
Dean Grant has forsaken a long time involvement in the Porsche fold and has joined the Australian GT ranks following his purchase of the ex-Ross Lilley Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 to be run by Jocaro Motorsport
Grant, a Victorian hotel owner and operator, raced for four years in the Carrera Cup Championship (2003-2006) and was the Series Tag Heuer Champion in both 2004 and 2005.
An extremely competent driver, Grant still holds the record for the most consecutive race finishes in Carrera Cup numbering sixty two.
The Grant Lamborghini entry is to be sponsored by Harbour Town Hotel, Vodka O, and the European Bier Café.
This year Grant has competed in the Aston Martin Asia Cup with a third and second place in rounds three and four held at the Sepang (Malaysia) circuit.
The first of a series of new machinery destined for the Australian GT grid for the final round of this year’s Championship and next year’s season opener at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide is a stunning new Dodge Viper GT3 for Ross Lilley, the first of its kind in the country
Dean Grant will campaign the ex-Lilly Lamborghini
The ORECA built car featuring the legendary Viper 8.2 litre V-10 engine developing 580 bhp at 5,500 rpm is fitted with a six speed gearbox with stopping power provided by Brembo six-spot and four spot calipers on the 15inch front and 14 inch rear rotors respectively.
The car is already on its way from the USA, taking the number of marques Lilley has piloted in the GT Championship to four after previously campaigning a Porsche GT3 Cup Car, Ferrari 360 GT, Lamborghini and now the mighty Dodge.
Lilley currently is in third position in this year’s GT Championship point’s chase.
Also joining the fray at Sandown will be three Trofeo Motorsport Maseratis for Rod Wilson, Jim Manolios and a yet to be named famous international.