27 Touring Car race wins
1 Touring Car championships
2 Bathurst 1000 victoriesCAREER
Started in karts aged 12. Won
Formula Ford title in 1990 and
had a good crack at Europe
and Japan before running out
of money. Winning Bathurst in
1995 with Larry Perkins set him
up to come home and they won
again in 1997. Acrimoniously
split with Perkins in 2002 to
race for Stone Brothers, and
won the title in 2005 after being
runner-up four times. A great
racer but a poor qualifier in V8s,
only claiming one pole. A record
579 starts – so far.CAREER
Began in karts, raced Ford
Laser, then came under the
patronage of Nissan team
boss Fred Gibson. Moved to
Melbourne in 1987. Won both
the ATCC and Bathurst driving
‘Godzilla’ before switching to
a Holden. Won another title
before the Gibson team struck
financial trouble. Wooed by
HRTtoreplacePeterBrock;in
11 years won three consecutive
titles (2000-02) and three more
Bathursts. Final Bathurst win in
2010 with Triple Eight Racing.PERSONAL
Born in London, moved to
Adelaide at age three and grew
up there. Mother died young
of breast cancer; father ran a
service station. A tough life did
much to define his personality.
Resilient, self-reliant and
ruthless, yet also emotional,
Ingall was the archetypal
hungryproracer,alwaysonthe
lookout for a deal. Still a prized
enduro driver. Lost his right
index finger at the first joint in
akartingaccident.Actualagea
source of constant speculation.PERSONAL
Highly intelligent, hugely
competitive, massively
ambitious, incredible self-belief.
Personality generates critics
andadmirersalike,buthada
habitofcollectingpowerful
backers – Gibson, John Crennan,
V8 czar Tony Cochrane. At his
peak Skaife was the best driver
in Australia. Endured dark
days towards the end of his
career and in the early days of
retirement. Seems happier now.
Stays close to Supercars as a
Fox Sports commentator.90 Touring Car race wins
5 Touring Car championships
6 Bathurst 1000 victoriesRUSSELL INGALL MARK SKAIFE
FORD XR8 SPRINT v HOLDEN SS-V REDLINE
@wheelsaustralia 81