The 2002 Championship

THE 2002 CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2002 Championship began in Adelaide at the Clipsal 500, from March 15 to 17

and concluded at Sandown at the V8 Ultimate from November 29 to December 1.

With different race formats from Season 2001, more compulsory pit stops, a twilight

race, and some new teams coming on board, the 2002 Season was a thriller!!

Mark had a fantastic season, starting off by winning both races of the Adelaide 500,

winning the round at Phillip Island, taking a clean-sweep at Eastern Creek, winning the

round at Hidden Valley and the GMC 400 in Canberra, therefore setting a new record for

winning the first 5 rounds of a Championship. Mark also won the round at Oran Park,

and took a clean-sweep of the Bathurst 1000 driving with Jim Richards. Mark secured

Pole position in the Top 15 Shootout and despite plastic bags being stuck in his air

intake, which could well have taken them out the race, they went on to win the race,

marking the 10 year anniversary of Mark and Jim Richards' controversial Bathurst win

in 1992. Mark wrapped up the 2002 Championship in winning the Bathurst 1000.

Mechanical failures marred the rest of his season, with the only good result coming

from Pole and a Race 1 win at Pukekohe. It is believed that the string of mechanical

failures and therefore DNF's were due to HRT testing new parts during the latter races

of the Championship. All in all, it was a fantastic year for Mark, giving him 5 Australian

Touring Car Championships!! Congratulations Mark and HRT!!

Mark with his 2002 Championship Trophy at the

AVESCO Awards Dinner, December 2002.

“This photo comes from the official AVESCO Site”

** CONGRATULATIONS MARK AND THE HOLDEN RACING

TEAM ON ANOTHER FANTASTIC CHAMPIONSHIP !! **

Mark in the VB Challenge at the Adelaide 500, March 2002.

MARK SKAIFE - DIARY OF A CHAMPION

Mark launched a new book in October, entitled "Mark Skaife - Diary of

a Champion". It is a book covering Bathurst 2001 to Canberra 2002, and

is in a Diary format. It was published by Harper Collins. The book is a

fantastic read and gives an excellent insight into Mark's life on and off

the track and what he gets up to throughout the year, from race events

to HSV Meetings, Meet The Public shows, and even gives an insight into

his personal life with family and friends. It also features lots of great

colour and black and white photos, Mark's achievements, profile, a full

list of results from Bathurst 2001 to Canberra 2002 and with Mark's

great sense of humour tells stories and events that show what Mark

is really like.

The book can be found in all good book shops, and retails from around

$20 to $30, depending on which shop you visit.

The front cover of Mark's Book.

" © Skaife Racing Pty Ltd.. This cover is protected by Australian Copyright Laws"

MARK LAUNCHES OFFICIAL SKAIFE RACING WEBSITE

“This logo comes from the official Skaife Racing Site”

Mark and HSV have now launched an Official Mark Skaife website. Skaife

Racing is linked to the Official Holden Special Vehicles site, and can also be

found following the links at the bottom of this page. It features a Profile

and information about Mark, information about his sponsors and history and

some rather interesting photos of him too!! Well worth checking out!!

Mark at the Adelaide 500, March 2002.

Mark Skaife's car for the 2002 Championship, featuring

the new livery, February 2002.

“This photo comes from the official V8X Site”

Another shot of Mark Skaife's car for the 2002 Championship,

featuring the new livery, February 2002.

“This photo comes from the official V8X Site”

SEASON CALENDAR AND ROUND FORMATS

Adelaide 500

March 15 - 17

Top 15 Shootout

1 x 250 km Race - Saturday

1 x 250 km Race - Sunday

Phillip Island

April 12 - 14

Top 10 Shootout

2 x 150 km Races - Sunday

Eastern Creek

April 26 - 28

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 20 min Race - Saturday (Twilight)

2 x 150 km Races - Sunday

Hidden Valley

May 17 - 19

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 20 min Race - Saturday

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

GMC 400 - Canberra

June 7 - 9

Top 15 Shootout

1 x 25 Lap Race - Saturday

1 x 25 Lap Race - Sunday (Reverse Grid)

1 x 50 Lap Race - Sunday

Barbagallo

June 28 - 30

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Oran Park

July 26 - 28

Top 10 Shootout

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Winton

August 16 - 18

Top 10 Shootout

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Queensland 500

September 13 - 15

Top 15 Shootout

1 x 500 km Race - Sunday (With Co-Drivers)

Bathurst 1000 - Mt Panorama

October 10 - 13

Top 15 Shootout

1 x 1000 km Race - Sunday (With Co-Drivers)

Honda Indy 300

October 25 - 27

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

1 x 100 km Race - Sunday

Pukekohe - New Zealand

November 8 - 10

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Sandown

November 29 - December 1

Top 15 Shootout

1 x 150 km Race - Saturday

1 x 300 km Race - Sunday

Mark on the Parade Lap at the Adelaide 500, March 2002.

Here are Mark's results for the 2002 season.....

CIRCUIT	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Adelaide 500	1st	1st	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Phillip Island	3rd	2nd	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Eastern Creek	1st	1st	1st	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Hidden Valley	2nd	2nd	1st	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
GMC 400 - Canberra	6th	1st	13th	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Barbagallo	1st	1st	DNF	7th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Oran Park	4th	1st	1st

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Winton	2nd	4th	9th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Queensland 500	2nd	DNF
(Driving with Jason Bright)

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Bathurst 1000 - Mt Panorama	1st	1st
(Driving with Jim Richards)

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Honda Indy 300	4th	25th	DNF

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Pukekohe - New Zealand	1st	1st	DNF	DNF


	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2

Sandown

15th

5th

2nd

Mark exiting the pits at the Adelaide 500, March 2002.

** The Official Holden Racing Team Site **

*********** Mark Skaife "There Goes My Hero" ************