The most coveted prize in reality TV is back, with Shannons Supercar Showdown returning to 7mate in 2013 for its 3rd series!
In 2011, the Shannons Supercar Showdown Reality TV series was born. The exciting new concept saw 10 hot prospect drivers from around the world pitted against each other in a series of challenges. The winner earned themselves a seat in Australia's greatest motor racing event - The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The 2011 winner was 17 year old Cameron Waters who generated nationwide coverage for being the youngest driver ever to compete in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
In 2012, Shannons Supercar Showdown released season 2. Built on the reality shows popularity and successful format with Rick & Todd Kelly of Kelly Racing, the series saw both judges return to oversee the preparation of the winners car for Bathurst 1000.
After an exciting and challenging series, the winner of series 2 was Jesse Dixon just 19 years of age. Supercar Showdown broke another record when Jesse teamed up with Shannons Supercar Showdown Season 1 winner Cameron Waters for the 2012 Bathurst 1000 as the youngest ever driver pairing to compete in the Bathurst 1000.
In 2013, the multi-award winning program returns for series 3 with a new format, new team garage and a new prize. The 3rd Supercar Showdown series will see the Ford Performance Racing replacing Kelly Racing as the team garage. It will bring with it a host of new twists and turns that will see 8 rookie drivers hit the starting grid to battle it out under the watch of Ford Pepsi Max Crew stars, Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison.
In an exciting new twist, this year’s showdown pits Frosty v Davo. Each driver will mentor 4 drivers through the TV series in their roles as team captains. Both drivers have searched far and wide, from Australia to the US to as far as even Europe, to pick their drivers for the starting grid.
Up for grabs is the opportunity of a lifetime for the series winner - a testing contract with V8 Supercar team Ford Performance Racing. Contestants will converge on FPR’s Melbourne headquarters for their chance to impress Will and Mark, but it’s ultimately FPR Team Principal, Tim Edwards who will make the final decision on who wins the coveted testing contract.
Also, for the first time ever, popular V8 pit-lane reporter Briony Ingerson will be joining the series. Briony will join the contestants as they battle over 8 episodes at Melbourne’s Calder Park Raceway, driving everything from V8 racecars, to karts and Formula Ford before a seat fitting in the 2012 FPR Falcon V8 Supercar.
In declaring the team’s support for Shannons Supercar Showdown, FPR Team Principal Tim Edwards said “Shannons Supercar Showdown has so far presented an amazing opportunity for over 20 young motor racing drivers to take their career to the next level. Many of these drivers now compete across the top motorsport categories in Australia. We are really excited to partner with the TV series and open the doors of Ford Performance Racing to the successful winner, as our 2014 Testing Rookie” he said.
Both FPR drivers are really excited about the opportunity to be part of the series.
“The pressure in this game never stops – Frosty and I are great rivals on the track, but now we are battling it out on and off the track like never before! The driver line up we have is pretty amazing and it’s definitely game on as far as I’m concerned.” said Will Davison.
Both drivers will mentor their respective teams in all aspects of racing. They will help secure the driver, who will ultimately impress Tim Edwards as the most complete driver package, worthy of joining the FPR team.
"I can’t wait to get on the track with these guys. It’s a great way for race fans to watch our rookies compete and see how race car drivers operate at the top level. There are so many talented drivers who just need the right break and our list is looking sharp. It would be great for a new driver to join the team as a result of the series.” said Mark Winterbottom.
As well as watching the two team captains go head to head, race fans will also see the inner workings of a V8 Supercar team as the cameras go behind the garage door during the series. “We are really looking forward to sharing our team and our partners with race fans across the nation”said Edwards.
The new series, with team mentors Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison, provides a real insight into the inner workings of the FPR team and making it must watch TV for motor racing fans.
Shannons Supercar Showdown Series 3 is sure to be bigger and better than ever. Series 3 commences on 7mate in September.
For more information visit the Official Shannons Supercar Showdown Website.