The 2004 Championship

THE 2004 CHAMPIONSHIP

2004 CHAMPIONSHIP INTRODUCTION

The 2004 Championship begins in Adelaide at the Clipsal 500, from March 18 to 21.

This season brings about a change in that it is the first year since 1997 that a Holden

Racing Team driver does not go into the Championship with the Number 1 on the

door. Mark has reverted back to his old Number 2 and Todd now has Number 22.

As opposed to last year, there are not a lot of changes this year in the cars, points

system, and race formats so, with some continuity at last, drivers and teams can

get on with the racing and not have to worry about new cars, new rules and so on.

Mark's off-season break saw him getting engaged to his partner of a few years,Toni,

with them going overseas to Europe for a much-needed holiday and saw him appointed

to the TEGA Board and receiving an OAM (Order of Australia Medal) for Services to

Motorsports and the Community. Mark now begins the season refreshed and hungrier

than ever to recapture the Championship in 2004 and I wish him the best of luck!!

MARK AND HRT WIN AT V8 SUPERCAR GALA AWARDS!!

Despite a disappointing season, Mark and HRT won a number of Awards at the V8

Supercar Gala Dinner. Mark was awarded the Monroe Pole Award, for the most Pole

Positions this year; HRT was awarded the Best Presented Team and the People's

Choice Award for Most Popular Team; and Mark was awarded the People's Choice

Award for Most Popular Driver!! Receiving the Awards was a great way to end what

has been a tough year for Mark, teammate Todd Kelly, and the Holden Racing Team,

which saw Mark finish 12th in the Championship and Todd 7th. Congratulations

to Mark and HRT on their Awards!!

MARK AND TONI IN "WHO" MAGAZINE!!

The October 11 "Who" Magazine features a wonderful article about Mark,

together with a selection of fantastic photos (including the photo below).

The article highlights a number of areas, including Mark away from the track

and his recent wedding to Toni. A must-read for all Mark Skaife fans!!

Mark & Toni in "Who" Magazine, October 2004.

“This photo comes from "Who" Magazine, October 11 Issue”

MARK AND TONI GET MARRIED!!

On Saturday 21 August 2004, Mark married his long-time partner, Toni Strachan,

at an intimate ceremony in a park outside Rae's Hotel in Byron Bay, New South

Wales, with Mark's son, Mitch, as the Best Man!! Mark wore Hugo Boss, whilst

Toni's dress was made by Collette Dinnigan. Once again, I wish them all the

happiness in the world in their life together.

Mark & Toni's Wedding, August 2004.

“This photo comes from the Herald Sun Site”

HRT LAUNCH 2004 CARS AT THE MOTORSPORT SHOW

“This logo comes from the official Holden Special Vehicles Site”

On Friday 20 February 2004, the Holden Racing Team launched their 2004 cars

at the Melbourne Motorsport Show. The new livery includes the re-introduction

of black to the cars, with great effect and the wheels are now dark grey,

which looks absolutely fantastic!! Of course, there are also new driver's suits,

uniforms, posters and merchandise, which will be seen around the tracks.

Front View of the 2004 Holden Racing Team Commodore.

“This photo comes from the V8X Site”

Left Rear View of the 2004 Holden Racing Team Commodore.

“This photo comes from theV8X Site”

Todd & Mark with Mark's 2004 Holden Racing Team Commodore.

“This photo comes from the V8X Site”

MARK RECEIVES AN ORDER OF AUSTRALIA MEDAL!!

In the 2004 Australia Day Honours, Mark received an Order of Australia Medal

(OAM) for Services to Motorsport and the Community. Mark organises and/or

attends a number of charity functions throughout the year and over the years

has raised a lot of money for charity and it's fantastic to see him get rewarded

for this. Congratulations Mark!!

2004 ORAN PARK PHOTOS

Mark at Auto-Tek Corner, Oran Park, August 2004.

Mark on the Start/Finish Straight, Oran Park, August 2004.

Mark in the Dog-Leg, Oran Park, August 2004.

Mark about to leave Pit Lane, Sunday Morning Warm-Up, Oran Park, August 2004.

L-R: Anthony Tratt, Robbie Starr and Mark, Pit Lane, Oran Park, August 2004.

Mark spending time with fans, Oran Park, August 2004.

Me and Mark in the HRT Garage, Sunday Morning, Oran Park, August 2004.

2004 ADELAIDE 500 PHOTOS

Todd & Mark at the Club 1 Function, Adelaide, March 2004.

Mark at the V8 Debate, Adelaide 500, March 2004.

Mark in the morning Warm-Up at the Adelaide 500, March 2004.

Mark exiting Pit Lane at the Adelaide 500, March 2004.

Mark in a Pitstop at the Adelaide 500, March 2004.

Mark in the VB Challenge at the Adelaide 500, March 2004.

Mark on the Parade Lap at the Adelaide 500, March 2004.

SEASON CALENDAR AND ROUND FORMATS

Adelaide 500

March 18 - 21

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 250 km Race - Saturday

1 x 250 km Race - Sunday

Eastern Creek

April 2 - 4

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 300 km Race - Sunday

Pukekohe - New Zealand

April 30 - May 2

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

2 x 150 km Races - Sunday

Hidden Valley

May 21 - 23

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 20-Minute Race - Saturday

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Barbagallo

June 11 - 13

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

2 x 100 km Races - Sunday

Queensland Raceway

July 2 - 4

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 280 km Race - Sunday

Winton

July 22 - 25

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 300 km Race - Sunday

Oran Park

August 13 - 15

Top 10 Shootout

2 x 140 km Races - Sunday

Melbourne 500 - Sandown

September 10 - 12

Top 10 Shootout

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

Bathurst 1000 - Mt Panorama

October 7 - 10

Top 10 Shootout

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

Indy 300

October 21 - 24

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

1 x 100 km Race - Sunday

Symmons Plains

November 12 - 14

Top 10 Shootout

1 x Race - Saturday

2 x Races - Sunday

Eastern Creek

December 3 - 5

Top 10 Shootout

1 x 100 km Race - Saturday

2 x 150 km Races - Sunday

Here are Mark's results for the 2004 season .....

CIRCUIT	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Adelaide 500	DNS (13th)	7th	17th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Eastern Creek	2nd	22nd

	SHOOTOUT	RACE1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Pukekohe - New Zealand	1st	16th	DNF	19th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Hidden Valley	1st	14th	9th	7th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Barbagallo	2nd	1st	15th	9th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Queensland Raceway	2nd	DNF

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Winton	6th	28th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Oran Park	1st	1st	2nd

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Melbourne 500 - Sandown	4th	23rd
(Co-Driving with Todd Kelly)

	SHOOTOUT	RACE
Bathurst 1000 - Mt Panorama	DNS (18th)	14th
(Co-Driving with Todd Kelly)

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2
Indy 300	1st	25th	14th

	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3
Symmons Plains	3rd	DNF	DNF	3rd


	SHOOTOUT	RACE 1	RACE 2	RACE 3

Eastern Creek

2nd

18th

7th

2nd

** The Official Holden Racing Team Site **

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