NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

YEESSSSSSSSSSSS. Announcing Retirement!!!!

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FINALLY!!!!! thank god for that..it’s way overdue

This is a sad day for Ford fans.

Casey, it’s a big plus for your team’s future!

Mark has been of considerable help to us the last couple of years by steadily crashing Car #2 further toward the rear of the field. Next year we have to contend with our loss of the excellent Will Davison to pilot the red car and, given an equal opportunity, I predict he will be at least Tander’s equal. It will be interesting to see how Will evolves as a personality while in the HRTE environment.

(E = ego…)

Thanks for trying Stephen.

I have changed my profile name in expectation of the outcome of the press conference.

I will be listing in, from school.
Good point Stephen. If Will Davidson goes to HRT it is a huge plus. He is as good as Garth Tander.

Yes, I have heard what people say about Skaifey, and the last couple of years we have seen his position in the pack slowly drop.
However, I grew up with the V8’s; Ingall, Perkins and Skaife were as much a part of my life as Humphrey B Bear!! And then as a teenager, I had Lowndesy (before he traitored on us.)
Anyway, my point is that losing Skaifey really is the end of an era for Holden fans. He did enough for us that most of us would forgive anything. It will be made worse if he doesn’t do a Bowe-type retirement year for us to say goodbye to someone so important to the sport and Holden motorsport.

Skaifey certainly has a bursting trophy cabinet and played his part in raisng Holden's profile and success in an era when Ford did little to help itself.

I've always said Skaife is hands down one of the most articulate, intelligent people in the game. He knows how to drive, understands all the technical aspects, has business knowledge and has usually been able to land drives in the most competitive teams and machinery. He's pretty much been the whole package albeit without acquiring universal respect from a personality point of view.

While I've never been convinced he's necessarily better than everyone else, I am really surprised at how his driving has faltered the last few tears. It's not like he's ancient and the car is capable. I think he's been psychologically whacked and can't get out of it. The ego's deflated.

Anyway, he has done stacks for Australian motorsport's profile and a huge contributor to Holden.

Casey, wear your veil with pride!

Its not only the end of an era for Holden but its the end of an era for Australian motor sport. I think no matter if you are a Ford or Holden fan, we should all congratuate Sakife on his driving ability, his respect for the sport and the profile that he has given to V8 Supercar racing.
I agree with you Stephen, that it is suprising to see him falter in the last couple of years, when you know that you have a good car and are from one of the top teams, yet your back in the grid so often, you would start to question yourself.

Good on ya mate, you had a good run. Skaifey is the only holden driver i actually really liked. Good on ya matey!!

the poor walls will feel abandond!

HRT Media release:
http://www.hrt.com.au/racing/2008/news/news.asp?ID=904

Australian motor racing champion Mark Skaife to retire
29.10.2008

Australian motor racing champion Mark Skaife to retire
Australia’s most successful touring car driver, Mark Skaife, today announced he will retire from full-time driving at the end of the 2008 season.

Skaife, 41, said the decision had been difficult, but that it was the right time to move on. “I’ve always admired sportspeople who know when it’s time to retire, rather than waiting to be told,” he said.

“Motor racing has been my life for the past 21 years and, as any professional sportsperson will attest, if you have a love and passion for what you are doing, for the competition and being on top of your game, then retirement is not something you ever easily consider.

“But the reality is that you do come to point in your career when you have a decision to make. I’m looking to the future for both myself and the Toll Holden Racing Team, and while this decision ends one phase of my career, I’m confident it will also open doors and exciting new opportunities.”

and now the official announcement had been made that he is retireing.

Sad days I’m with you Casey

He’s done alot for the sport and is one of the greastest.

Wonder when Will’s house on the coast goes on the market ???

Just so you all know, HRT did the right thing and e-mailed it’s members the media release within an hour of it’s official release.
They couldn’t tell us first (because we would have leaked it), but they made sure we were still informed.

You know, there is only 2 or 3 drivers I have never spoken to, and Will is one of them???

I miss Skaife already.

As soon as I read this I burst out in tears - no kidding
I’m with you Casey and Carley
I’ll miss Mark soooooooo much but then again I’m happy that Wilbo will be joining Toll HRT
I have alot of respect for Mark and he will definatley be missed!!
xx

Blimey, Casey. You’ve nearly got ME crying!!!

btw, I’ve met Will. Like Jamie, he’s a nice bloke. Well, he used to be!

On another note;

The final round now has three major events. 1. Final round at Oran Park before it is destroyed. 2. Skaife retirement. 3. Championship decider.

This makes it difficult on both Skaifey and the championship winner. Skaife is certainly going to want recognition for his final race from both the paddock and the fans, but not want to overshadow the championship. The champion is going to see one of the sport’s greats race their last full-time race, yet be extremely proud and excited of their own achievement!! Even if you try and balance the attention and allocades out - the champion is still going to get less recognition than previous champions due to the first two points listed above.

And Oran Park is the time to finish full-time racing. It would be awfully strange to retire ‘effective immediately’- and look like sour grapes if he retired after Bathurst.