It is a huge moment in Australian motorsport, with the news that five-time ATCC/V8 Supercar champion, Mark Skaife, will no longer be taking to the wheel in any professional capacity.
Not for the next two years at least.
Skaife today re-affirmed his commitment to the role of inaugural Chairman of the newly formed V8 Supercars Commission, which forbids him from allegiance to any one team, out of fear of bias.
Whilst the man affectionately dubbed “Skaifey” hung up the full-time helmet in 2008, he has certainly made his presence felt when he has been behind the wheel at endurance events, registering three victories alongside Craig Lowndes at TeamVodafone, prior to his second place at what, for now at least, was his final outing, at Bathurst.
The six-time winner of the great race justified his decision by stating “I can’t drive forever. I’ve really only got a two or three [year] window at the highest level and on the other side I have an opportunity which has probably got a longer tenure and a modern career path”.
He added that the role was “too good … to pass up”
We have to go way back to 1986 to find the last season where the iconic name hasn’t featured on the grid in some capacity, and in many ways, it officially closes the book on an iconic chapter in motorsport.
More promisingly, Skaife hasn’t ruled out the notion of returning to wheel once his initial two-year tenure expires in 2013, but for now at least, we will have to content ourselves with his voice behind the microphone of Channel Seven’s coverage of the series, as well as his new found position of authority.
Skaife’s impact throughout his quarter of a century of racing in V8s is unparalled, the diversity of his contribution is unheard of, ranging from his input towards track designs, to political matters, owning the Holden Racing Team for a period, and most recently, being the brains behind the controversial Car of the Future, due to come into effect in 2013.
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