MEDIA RELEASE/Supercars – Photo: Ingall FB

Russell Ingall will come out of retirement to steer a Triple Eight wildcard alongside Broc Feeney at October’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

Ingall, who turned 57 in February, will make his first Bathurst start since 2016, when he shared a Kelly Racing Nissan Altima with 2006 champion Rick Kelly.

2005 series champion Ingall will share the Supercheap Auto-backed Triple Eight entry with Feeney, who continue his maiden Triple Eight Super2 campaign at Winton next month.

Teenager Feeney, who is 38 years Ingall’s junior, made his Bathurst 1000 debut last year alongside 2010 champion James Courtney, and recorded a top 10 finish.

Ingall made his Bathurst 1000 debut in 1990, 12 years before Feeney’s birth.

He scored wins alongside Larry Perkins in 1995 and 1997, and added podiums in 1998 and 2002.

Ingall joins the Triple Eight stable, which also includes Bathurst-winning co-drivers Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander, who are also former series champions.

Between Tander, Lowndes and Ingall, the three Triple Eight co-drivers have exactly 1900 race starts between them.

“I’m looking forward to driving a Triple Eight-prepared car for the first time and sharing the car with Broc who is a terrific young driver with an enormous future,” said Ingall, who win will the #39.

“Let me make this clear. We are going to Bathurst to be competitive.

“We have every intention of being right in the mix and giving the fans something to cheer about, otherwise we might as well stay at home.”

The Repco Bathurst 1000 will run across October 7-10.

The Repco Supercars Championship field will return to The Bend Motorsport Park for the OTR SuperSprint across May 8-9.

The event will be broadcast live on Foxtel and will be streamed on Kayo with highlights on 7 and 7 Plus.

RUSSELL INGALL – DRIVER

“I feel like we’re part of another Blues Brothers movie – we really have put the band back together,” said Ingall.

“When the idea of driving a Triple Eight-prepared Supercheap Auto car at the Bathurst 1000 was presented to me, I didn’t need to be asked twice.

“Supercheap is synonymous with Bathurst and Mt Panorama and the race track means more to me than any other place.

“The concept is a great way for Supercheap Auto to maintain their valuable connection with the Bathurst 1000, which has been earned as both a team and event sponsor over more than 24 years.

“Supercheap Auto has played an important role in my career over the years and undertaking this event, in partnership with them, means an enormous amount to me.

“I’m looking forward to driving a Triple Eight-prepared car for the first time and sharing the car with Broc (Feeney) who is a terrific young driver with an enormous future.

“Let me make this clear. We are going to Bathurst to be competitive. We have every intention of being right in the mix and giving the fans something to cheer about, otherwise we might as well stay at home.”

BROC FEENEY – DRIVER

“To announce this wild card entry at Bathurst with Supercheap Auto and Russell (Ingall) at this stage of the season is exciting,” said Feeney.

“Supercheap Auto has such an incredible history in the sport and Russell is a legend in the business.

“To wear the Supercheap Auto colours and have Russell as my teammate in the biggest race of the year is all very surreal, but exciting and I am grateful for the opportunity.

“Having the chance to race with a Supercars and Bathurst champion is an exciting prospect and will certainly help to boost my racing career.”

BENJAMIN WARD – MANAGING DIRECTOR SUPERCHEAP AUTO

“Since losing the Bathurst 1000 naming rights sponsorship in a disappointing way last year, we wanted to take the time to think about what our contribution to the sport would be, going forward,” said Ward.

“We love this sport and its fans and we knew there was more to achieve. Already, we are enjoying great early success with our new partnership with Red Bull Ampol Racing in the Supercars championship.

“However, our Supercheap Auto team are heavily invested in this specific race and that relationship extends to Russell (Ingall) who is an integral part of our team as our longest-serving driver.

“This Bathurst wild card entry takes our relationship with this race to the next level, and by offering up the oldest-youngest driver combination in the race’s history, we lean on the Australian passion and spirit of the traditional underdog for support.

“To bring back a legend of the sport like Russell (Ingall) to Mt Panorama and partner him with a young talent like Broc (Feeney) in a Triple Eight car carrying Supercheap Auto Racing colours is so cool and something we hope fans will really get behind.”

ROLAND DANE – TRIPLE EIGHT RACE ENGINEERING

“We welcomed Supercheap Auto as a valuable partner at Triple Eight this season and discussions about the possibility of a wild card entry at Bathurst were always part of the mix,” said Dane.

“We did not know what that would look like, but I think the unique combination of youth and experience with Broc (Feeney) and Russell (Ingall) will not only turn plenty of heads, but will be competitive.

“Russell will get as much time in the car as we can get him during the year and you know there is no one who would take such an opportunity as seriously as him.

“Broc will get valuable miles in Super2 this season and get his second start in the Bathurst 1000 with one of the sport’s most successful drivers.”

MORE MOTORSPORT NEWS…

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