Jack Perkins will make a triumphant return to top-level V8 Supercar racing at the Phillip Island and Bathurst enduro races.
It was today announced that Perkins, 21, will rejoin the Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden squad run by his father, Larry Perkins, along with enduro race specialist Nathan Pretty. They will join forces with Championship Series drivers Todd Kelly and Shane Price, with driver pairings yet to be announced.
Jack Perkins’ driving future was placed in jeopardy last year in just his first season in the V8 Supercar Championship Series when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, standing down from the Jack Daniel’s squad for the last two rounds of the season to concentrate on managing the condition.
He received medical clearance early this year to race in the second-tier Fujitsu series in a Mack Trucks-sponsored Holden Commodore and currently sits tenth in championship standings after four rounds.
“I’ve been confident that this day would come, and I’m pleased that it’s happened this quickly,” Jack Perkins said. “Diabetes is something that you can manage and live with, and carry on a pretty normal life and that includes driving.
“It was necessary at the time (last year) to take some time away from the sport and sort things out, so that I could come back and give 110 per cent to driving. I can’t wait to get back to Bathurst, it’s the race everyone wants to win.”
Larry Perkins said he was proud of the determination shown by his son to quickly return to the sport and make himself available for its showpiece events.
“Jack’s worked hard to get through this, he’s only 21 and got most of his life in front of him so it’s good to see that he’s taken this head-on and got on with it,” he said.
He said the opportunity to pick up 35-year-old Pretty - who drove at Bathurst last year to 11th placing for the factory-backed Holden Racing Team and has five top 10 finishes at Mount Panorama to his credit - completed a strong enduro line-up for Jack Daniel’s Racing.
“I’ve got a high regard for Nathan’s ability and whichever way we configure the driver pairings, we’ll have a decent dip at both Phillip Island and Bathurst and see what happens on the day.”
Pretty said he was pleased to be racing for Perkins’ outfit for the first time. “Larry’s one of those legends of the sport whom you always hope you’ll get a chance to work with, and until now it hasn’t happened,” he said.
“I’ve heard a lot from Todd about the way the team goes about it and I’m really looking forward to working with them and seeing what we can do come enduro time.”
The L&H 500 takes place at Phillip Island on 12-14 September, with the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama following four weeks later on 9-12 October.
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