Jack Perkins (racing driver)

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Jack Perkins
Jack Perkins 2013 V8SuperTourers.jpg
Perkins at Mike Pero Pukekohe 500 2013
Nationality Australian
Born (1986-08-22) 22 August 1986 (age 35)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Supercars Championship career
Car number9
Current teamErebus Motorsport
(Endurance race co-driver)
Championships0
Races148
Wins1
Podiums3
Pole positions0
2019 position31st (558 pts)

Jack 'Perko' Perkins (born 22 August 1986) is an Australian motor racing driver who competes in the Pirtek Enduro Cup. He currently co-drives with Will Brown in the No. 9 Holden ZB Commodore for Erebus Motorsport. He is the son of retired Australian race driver and former team owner Larry Perkins, in whose team Perkins Engineering, he drove between 2006 and 2008. Initially competing as an endurance race only driver in 2006, in 2007 Perkins graduated to the full-time drive in the No. 11 Perkins Engineering car, the number made famous in Australian racing by his father.

Perkins stepped back from full-time driving in Supercars' top category in 2015 to sign with the Holden Racing Team as a co-driver for the Pirtek Enduro Cup.

In 2019, Perkins collected his first Bathurst podium, finishing in third place alongside James Courtney in the No. 22 Holden ZB Commodore for Walkinshaw Andretti United.

Career[]

Perkins Engineering[]

The Perkins Engineering team run by his father Larry, ran a two-car Fujitsu Development Series racing program in 2006, leading to Perkins getting the drive in the second No. 78 car, with Shane Price getting the lead drive in No. 77.[1] The cars were largely unsponsored, though had a clear association with the main series Jack Daniel's-sponsored Perkins Engineering cars. Perkins and Price were also immediately earmarked to drive the No. 11 Perkins Engineering car in the 2006 endurance races.

Price was generally faster than Perkins during the Fujitsu series, but Perkins managed to finish third in the championship standings,[2] just behind Price, who was narrowly defeated by Adam Macrow for the title.

In the Sandown 500, Perkins – together with Price – brought the No. 11 Jack Daniel's Commodore home in 24th position,[3] after Perkins qualified the car in 20th position.[4]

Come the SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000, Price took over the qualifying duties, and placed the car in 27th position for the race.[5] Perkins started the race, which ended at the end of the first lap, when race favourite Mark Skaife suffered a slipping clutch off the start line, which caused his No. 2 Holden Racing Team Commodore to fall to the tail of the field. Perkins, arriving blind over the hump in Mountain Straight ploughed into the back of Skaife's ailing car, putting it out on the spot. Perkins limped around to the pits missing a front left wheel, and with an hydraulic brake line on fire. It did not continue in the race.[5]

After the late and sudden departure of both Steven Richards and Paul Dumbrell from the team at the end of 2006, Perkins and Price were elevated to the full-time championship drives for Perkins Engineering in 2007.[6] While it was not ideal for the inexperienced Perkins and Price to suddenly find themselves racing in the main series, while developing new cars, the timing of Richards and Dumbrell's departure left the team without an opportunity to sign an experienced "name" driver, all of whom had committed contracts for 2007.

Perkins had a mixed season in 2007, with some outstanding results such as qualifying in the Top 10 at Winton Raceway, coupled with many disappointing race exits whilst running in strong positions. Although he was generally keeping pace with the more highly rated Shane Price, Jack's performances behind the wheel were suffering towards the end of long stints behind the wheel. It was later found that Perkins was suffering from Type One Diabetes, as described further down in this article.

Perkins returned to the team in 2008 for the endurance races, partnered with Nathan Pretty – finishing 8th at Phillip Island,[7] and 8th at Bathurst[8] – and eventually to the full-time drive from the Indy Grand Prix round of the season onwards, after the slide of form and eventual dumping of Shane Price from the team.[9] Price, who had already been dropped to the position of number two driver, following the arrival of Todd Kelly at the beginning of 2008, was left without a drive. Perkins had already returned to competition in the 2008 Fujitsu Development Series, running a Mack-sponsored Commodore for Independent Race Cars Australia.[10]

Independent Race Cars Australia[]

After bringing his medical condition under control, Perkins competed in the Fujitsu V8 Development Series in a Perkins Engineering built car, but run by Independent Race Cars Australia in 2008, with a view to a return to a full-time drive in the main championship series in 2009.

Although starting the series strongly in Adelaide,[11] a mid-season slump saw his title chances slide. Seeking an improvement for the end of the season, the car was brought back into the Perkins Engineering workshops from the Bathurst round onwards. With better knowledge of the car, the engineers were able to help Perkins to some better results, culminating in a race[12] and round win at the final round at Oran Park.[13] The end result was a fifth placing in the championship.[14]

Kelly Racing[]

Perkins returned to the main V8 Supercar championship in 2009 behind the wheel of the No. 11 Kelly Racing Commodore carrying sponsorship from Dodo Internet.[15] The deal was part of a merger and eventual takeover of Perkins Engineering by the new Kelly Racing. Jack's No. 11 car for 2009 was the car previously run by Todd Kelly at Perkins Engineering in 2008, chassis number PE047.[16]

The 2009 season was disappointing for Perkins. The new Kelly Racing team was the only four-car team in the series and results were thin. By season's end team leaders Rick and Todd Kelly were beginning to gain results but results for Perkins and the team's fourth car did not come and Perkins was not retained into 2010.

Paul Morris Motorsport[]

Perkins was without a drive for the 2010 season leaving him to pursue a role with Paul Morris Motorsport as a signwriter. This eventually led to a part-time return to the second-tier Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series in a spare PMM Commodore chassis with limited support from the main team. Perkins's performances in the second tier series where strong enough to earn him a call-up to James Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, pairing with Tim Slade.

Jack's continued strong 2010 form led to Paul Morris Motorsports team owner, Paul Morris, deciding to personally step down from his own driving duties at the Gold Coast round of the championship where he was scheduled to drive with Russell Ingall to allow Perkins to take over the drive. This stirred the sports traditionalists as it re-ignited the famous "Perkins – Ingall" partnership which Jack's father Larry shared with Russell Ingall, which led to 2 Bathurst 1000 crowns. The two drivers worked well together and performed strongly at the event which led to Paul Morris deciding to sign Perkins to compete in the 2011 Philip Island 500 and Bathurst 1000, again pairing with Russell Ingall.

James Rosenberg Racing[]

Perkins' strong performances in the Fujitsu series in 2010 led to a drive with James Rosenberg Racing for the 2010 endurance races. Perkins and Tim Slade finished the Phillip Island 500 in a strong fifth position equalling the team's best sprint race performance from earlier in the season.

Sonic Motor Racing[]

Perkins signed a deal with Sonic Motor Racing to compete in the 2011 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series with support from Bob Jane T-Marts, Supercheap Auto, Acu-check and Castrol, using a BF Falcon built by Triple Eight Race Engineering.

Garry Rogers Motorsport[]

Perkins signed with Garry Rogers Motorsport, to partner Alexandre Premat for the 2012 V8 Supercar endurance events at the Dick Smith Sandown 500 and Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Perkins returned to GRM for the 2013 V8 Supercars Pirtek Endurance Cup alongside full-time rookie, Scott McLaughlin. The duo matched Perkins previous best result with an 8th at Bathurst. The No. 33 Commodore was looking strong in the Pirtek Endurance Cup until an electrical issue dogged there challenge at the Armor All Gold Coast 600.

Eggleston Motorsport[]

Following the opening round of the 2013 Dunlop V8 Supercar Series at the Clipsal 500, it was announced that Perkins would drive an Eggleston Motorsport Commodore at the second round at Barbagallo Raceway. Perkins finished the championship 4th in the Driver's Standing even though he missed the opening round in Adelaide.

Charlie Schwerkolt Racing[]

The Ford FG Falcon of Perkins at the 2014 Coates Hire Ipswich 400

On 19 December 2013, it was announced that Perkins would pilot the No. 18 Jeld Wen Ford FG Falcon for the 2014 International V8 Supercars Championship Series. The 2014 Clipsal 500 marked his return to full-time driving since 2009. He was dropped at the end of the season in favour of Lee Holdsworth. Bathurst was the main highlight of the year, with Perkins qualifying in the top ten and making the shootout. A mistake made on the final corner took him to grid position 9, although he was on track to be around position 6. In the late stages of the race, the car was running in the top five, with a chance for a podium result. However, due to a mistake in pit lane whilst re-entering traffic, they were given a penalty. They later finished 12th.

Type 1 diabetes[]

Shortly before the penultimate round of the 2007 V8 Supercars Championship Series, Perkins was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes,[17] which forced him to step down from the full-time drive of the No. 11 Perkins Engineering Commodore. His place was taken by Marcus Marshall for the final two rounds, as Marshall had had a stint with the team in the 2007 endurance races and was familiar with the team and cars.[18]

Perkins gained control over his condition in 2008 and after passing tests for his fitness to regain his racing licence from the governing body of motorsports in Australia, CAMS, he returned to the track in the V8 Supercar Development Series.

Perkins has become a spokesperson for Diabetes Australia, and has held several events to raise money for DA,[19] and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.[20] He maintains personal sponsorship from Accu-Chek, manufacturers of blood sugar test equipment.

Media[]

Perkins has spent time as a television commentator, often being an analyst for categories such as the Dunlop V8 Supercar Series, Australian GT Championship, as well as speedway's World Series Sprintcars.

Career results[]

Season Series Position Car Team
2005 Australian Formula Ford Championship 20th Van Diemen RF92 Ford
Victorian Formula Ford Championship 9th
2006 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 3rd Holden VZ Commodore Perkins Engineering
V8 Supercar Championship Series 57th Jack Daniel's Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
2007 V8 Supercar Championship Series 48th Holden VZ Commodore
Holden VE Commodore
Jack Daniel's Racing
2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 5th Holden VZ Commodore Independent Race Cars Australia
V8 Supercar Championship Series 29th Holden VE Commodore Jack Daniel's Racing
2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series 26th Holden VE Commodore Kelly Racing
2010 Aussie Racing Cars 10th Aurion-Yamaha
Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 13th Holden VE Commodore James Rosenberg Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
V8 Supercar Championship Series 37th Ford FG Falcon
Holden VE Commodore
James Rosenberg Racing
Paul Morris Motorsport
2011 International V8 Supercars Championship 42nd Holden VE Commodore Paul Morris Motorsport
Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series 2nd Ford BF Falcon Sonic Motor Racing Services
2012 V8SuperTourer Championship 10th Holden VE Commodore M3 Racing
International V8 Supercars Championship 45th Garry Rogers Motorsport
2013 International V8 Supercars Championship 39th Holden VF Commodore Garry Rogers Motorsport
V8 Supercar Endurance Cup 10th
Australian GT Trophy 2nd Ginetta G50 GT4 Williams Race Services
V8SuperTourers Championship 14th Holden VE Commodore M3 Racing
Dunlop V8 Supercar Series 4th Eggleston Motorsport
2014 International V8 Supercars Championship 23rd Ford FG Falcon Charlie Schwerkolt Racing
2015 International V8 Supercars Championship 26th Holden VF Commodore Holden Racing Team
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport
Kumho Tyres Australian V8 Touring Car Series 13th Holden VZ Commodore Eggleston Motorsport
Kerrick Sports Sedan Series 4th Audi A4 Auto Union Deutsche
2016 Kerrick Sports Sedan Series 2nd Audi A4 Auto Union Deutsche
International V8 Supercars Championship 41st Holden VF Commodore Holden Racing Team
2017 Dunlop Super2 Series 14th Holden VF Commodore Dragon Motor Racing
Image Racing
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship 35th Holden VF Commodore Walkinshaw Racing
Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport
2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship 46th Holden ZB Commodore Walkinshaw Andretti United
2019 Dunlop Super2 Series 14th Holden VF Commodore Eggleston Motorsport
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship 31st Holden ZB Commodore Walkinshaw Andretti United
2020 Super2 Series 12th Holden VF Commodore Eggleston Motorsport
Virgin Australia Supercars Championship NC Holden ZB Commodore Brad Jones Racing

Complete Development Series results[]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Position Points
2006 Perkins Engineering Holden VZ Commodore ADE
27
ADE
10
ADE
4
WAK
4
WAK
22
WAK
8
QLD
6
QLD
8
QLD
5
ORA
6
ORA
17
ORA
4
MAL
3
MAL
9
MAL
Ret
BAT
10
BAT
3
PHI
6
PHI
9
3rd 1597
2008 Independent Race Cars Australia Holden VZ Commodore ADE
2
ADE
2
WAK
4
WAK
14
WAK
5
SAN
26
SAN
Ret
SAN
11
QLD
6
QLD
Ret
QLD
Ret
WIN
3
WIN
2
WIN
2
BAT
3
BAT
6
ORA
2
ORA
1
5th 1399
2010 James Rosenberg Racing Holden VE Commodore ADE ADE QLD
4
QLD
3
QLD
1
WIN
15
WIN
8
WIN
5
TOW TOW TOW BAT BAT SAN
2
SAN
4
SAN
10
HOM HOM 13th 661
2011 Sonic Motor Racing Services Ford BF Falcon ADE
3
ADE
21
BAR
2
BAR
4
TOW
6
TOW
2
TOW
2
QLD
10
QLD
7
QLD
7
BAT
3
BAT
3
SAN
1
SAN
11
SAN
3
HOM
5
HOM
1
2nd 1601
2013 Eggleston Motorsport Holden VE Commodore ADE ADE BAR
9
BAR
1
BAR
7
TOW
18
TOW
10
TOW
7
QLD
2
QLD
7
QLD
1
WIN
2
WIN
8
WIN
1
BAT
3
BAT
3
HOM
3
HOM
3
4th 1404
2017 Dragon Motor Racing
Image Racing
Holden VF Commodore ADE
9
ADE
8
ADE
17
SYM
7
SYM
6
SYM
5
SYM
4
PHI
Ret
PHI
17
PHI
Ret
PHI
13
TOW
8
TOW
5
SYD
DNS
SYD
DNS
SYD
DNS
SYD
DNS
SAN
Ret
SAN
5
BAT
Ret
NEW
Ret
NEW
18
14th 789
2019 Eggleston Motorsport Holden VF Commodore ADE ADE ADE BAR BAR TOW
10
TOW
8
QLD
5
QLD
15
BAT
WD
SAN
5
SAN
2
NEW
15
NEW
5
14th 759
2020 Eggleston Motorsport Holden VF Commodore ADE
6
ADE
Ret
ADE
Ret
SYD
7
SYD
6
BAT BAT 12th 236

Bathurst 1000 results[]

Year Team Car Co-driver Position Laps
2006 Perkins Engineering Holden Commodore VZ Australia Shane Price DNF 1
2007 Perkins Engineering Holden Commodore VE Australia Shane Price DNF 102
2008 Perkins Engineering Holden Commodore VE Australia Nathan Pretty 8th 161
2009 Kelly Racing Holden Commodore VE Australia Dale Wood 14th 160
2010 James Rosenberg Racing Ford Falcon FG Australia Tim Slade 18th 161
2011 Paul Morris Motorsport Holden Commodore VE Australia Russell Ingall 8th 161
2012 Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden Commodore VE France Alexandre Prémat 16th 161
2013 Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden Commodore VF New Zealand Scott McLaughlin 8th 161
2014 Charlie Schwerkolt Racing Ford Falcon FG Australia Cameron Waters 12th 161
2015 Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VF Australia Russell Ingall 11th 161
2016 Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VF Australia James Courtney 13th 161
2017 Walkinshaw Racing Holden Commodore VF Australia James Courtney 19th 147
2018 Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore ZB Australia James Courtney DNF 33
2019 Walkinshaw Andretti United Holden Commodore ZB Australia James Courtney 3rd 161
2020 Brad Jones Racing Holden Commodore ZB Australia Jack Smith DNF 149

References[]

  1. ^ "Jack and Shane Race Here". V8 Supercars Australia. 19 March 2006. Archived from the original on 18 October 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  2. ^ "2006 Fujitsu Development Series Final Standings". Natsoft. 11 December 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  3. ^ "2006 Betta Electrical Sandown 500 Results". Natsoft. 3 September 2006. Archived from the original on 29 July 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  4. ^ "2006 Betta Electrical Sandown 500 Qualifying". Natsoft. 2 September 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  5. ^ a b "2006 SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 – Qualifying". Natsoft. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  6. ^ "Price and Perkins Jnr step up to main V8 Supercar Series in 2007". V8 Supercars Australia. 3 January 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  7. ^ "2008 L&H 500 – Phillip Island – Race Results". Natsoft. 14 September 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  8. ^ "2008 SuperCheap Auto Bathurst 1000 – Race Results". Natsoft. 12 October 2008. Archived from the original on 15 October 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  9. ^ "Price dumped for Perkins". drive.com.au. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 23 October 2008. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  10. ^ Inness, Stuart (22 February 2008). "Canto Grabs Pole Position". Adelaide Now. Retrieved 9 March 2009.
  11. ^ "Steve Owen sends a clear message and wins Fujitsu Series opener". V8 Supercars Australia. 23 February 2008. Archived from the original on 12 October 2009. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  12. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 Round Seven – Race Two Results". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  13. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 Round Seven – Round Points". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  14. ^ "Fujitsu Development Series 2008 – Final Points". Natsoft. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 11 March 2009.
  15. ^ "KELLY RACING OPENS ITS DOORS FOR V8 SUPERCAR ASSAULT". Kelly Racing. 2 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2009.
  16. ^ "KELLY BROTHERS UPBEAT AFTER SHAKEDOWN SUCCESS". Kelly Racing. 4 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 March 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  17. ^ Kershler, Ray (13 November 2007). "Diabetes puts brakes on Jack Perkins' career". Herald Sun. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  18. ^ "Marshall To Replace Perkins at Jack Daniel's". Holden Motor Sport. 12 November 2007. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  19. ^ "Jack Perkins Walks for a Cure". Diabetes Foundation of Australia. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
  20. ^ "Rising V8 Supercar star Jack Perkins races to help kids". V8 Supercars Australia. 18 February 2008. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 16 March 2009.

External links[]

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