Dunlop Series privateer sources title-winner for Winton
V8 SUPERCARS Dunlop Series driver Matt Chahda is forging ahead with plans to run his own team in the V8 feeder series and has secured a new car to race at his home round this weekend at Winton.
Chahda and his family team have purchased the Falcon FG used by Scott McLaughlin to win the 2012 Dunlop Series and are working hard to have it ready to race in round three of the series.
The Stone Brothers Racing-built Falcon is a sister car to those currently raced in the Dunlop Series by Matt Stone Racing and was prepared and run by MSR last year for Michael Hector.
Albury-based Chahda drove a Commodore leased from RSport Race Engineering in the opening two rounds of the series in Adelaide and Perth, however was forced to sit out the races at the latter after a mechanical problemin practice.
That has prompted a change in philosophy and Chahda, father Amin and the rest of the family-run team are busy preparing their own new car for Winton.
The team has secured Cavalier Homes Australia and New Zealand as naming rights backer for the Dunlop Series this year with support from Engine Masters Australia.
It’s this support that has allowed the Matt Chahda Motorsport team to take the step to purchase the ex-McLaughlin Falcon.
“This new car is something we have been considering for quite a while but the funds just haven’t been there to do it,” says Chahda.
“We’ve always run our own cars as a privateer team in the V8 Touring Car series and we have a good team behind us with all the necessary resources to repair and maintain the car.
“Matt Stone and Jimmy Stone has been fantastic to deal with and they’ve sorted out a clutch and installed an engine in a short amount of time. Without their help we would not be making the grid this weekend.
“The combination of the support from Cavalier Homes Australia and New Zealand, the heart-breaking weekend of sitting in Perth watching the racing and our racing restructure has us excited to hit the ground running at Winton.”
Chahda, who finished fourth in last year’s V8 Touring Car series for ex-V8 Supercars, finished 15th on debut in the opening round in Adelaide on his first time to the tricky Clipsal 500 street circuit.
He has his eyes set on being the top first-year driver in the category in 2015.
“My original goal this year was to fight for the Rookie of the Year title,” he says.
“After sitting out an entire round in Perth the chances will have dwindled but I still feel like I can fight for some good results.”
Chahda and his team will receive the car this week and hit the track at Winton on Friday for the beginning of official practice.
