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rotax racer
Formula Ford Driver
Australia
263 Posts
joined 28 Jun 05
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 Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 13:42:37
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Getting big must of hirt Austarlias biggest race team to close doors
Brett Stevens Retires
(Wednesday, 10 December 2008) by Rob Sharp
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The biggest name in Australian Drag Racing, Brett Stevens, today announced he will retire from full time race driving and cease operating his team at the end of 2008 after a long and highly decorated career.
Stevens, 43, leaves the sport as one of the most successful and influential professional racers in it’s history. Over a career spanning 18 years, he has multiple National Championships, World Records, National Records and Strip Records to his and his team’s name.
In addition to his on-track presence, Stevens also single-handedly changed the face of the sport with his new levels of showmanship and professionalism off the track that have helped make him into an Australian motorsport icon.
Stevens said that the decision had been an extremely difficult one to make.
“This is one of the biggest decisions of my life and it has not come easily. I’ve put a lot of thought into it and for those that know me and my passion for the sport, my fans, my team and my sponsors would know how difficult this has been.”
“I am extremely proud of what I have accomplished as a professional racer and I am at the point of my career where I am at the top. Retirement is not something that I have considered until recently however I have always promised myself that if I wasn’t enjoying myself and the challenges that the sport presented I would step aside.”
“Over many years I have also been the subject of many malicious and false rumour and innuendo, including personal attacks and threats on myself, my family, employees and sponsors which are taking an unprecedented toll on both my personal and professional wellbeing.”
“I have made a decision now though to look to the future for both myself and my family, and while this decision ends one phase of my career, I’m confident it will also open doors to many new opportunities.”
“I have made some fantastic lifelong friendships throughout my career in motorsport and I want to thank everyone who has accompanied, supported and inspired me over the years, including my fans, sponsors and crew. Above all, a special thanks goes to my wife Kath and my daughter Skye, who have given me the strength to do what I have done.”
Operating at the elite levels of the sport, in 2008 Stevens commanded the largest motorsport team in the country and the largest Drag Racing team anywhere in the world with 10 Group One vehicles. He is also the only person in the world to compete in three professional Drag Racing brackets simultaneously; Top Bike, Top Doorslammer and Top Alcohol.
A motor mechanic by trade, Stevens began his long and successful career as a drag racer in 1990 when he travelled to the United States and purchased his first Nitro Harley Top Fuel Motorcycle from good friend and Drag Racing legend, the late Jim McClure.
In 1993 his team first became known as Jack Daniel’s Racing in a relationship that still stands today lasting 15 years. Over that time Stevens developed one of the most feared reputations on the drag strip for his racing innovations and skills on both 2 and 4 wheels.
As well as a plethora of achievements within the sport, he has also been anointed with the Australian Sports Medal for his contributions to motorsport as well as being an inaugural inductee into the Australian Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
In 29 National Championships contested across 3 professional race brackets spanning his illustrious career, Stevens never finished outside the top 6 with 3 National Championships, 8 runner ups, 7 third places, 6 fourth places, 3 fifth places and 2 sixth places to his name. He also made an incredible 70 Final Round appearances.
Stevens also devotes a lot of his time and resources to charity involvements including the Kids with Cancer Foundation and the Leukaemia Foundation of which he is an Official Patron.
http://www.andra.com.au/article.asp?Id=1500
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Trickyonne
Sex God
Vatican City
11411 Posts
joined 13 Apr 03
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blueblood
Transporter Driver
93 Posts
joined 04 Nov 04
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Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 14:27:33
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I guess the same reason he wasnt at the recent perth round. Lack of $$$$$$.
Its a shame when a sport loses a star, but I guess it happens in all sports eventually.
Been a great ride while it lasted Brett. Good luck. |
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laser
Administrator
Australia
17225 Posts
joined 01 Aug 01
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Posted - 12 Dec 2008 : 14:34:45
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I have a PR that is not on Brett's site yet, but two interesting paragraphs are:
quote:
"All of my sponsorships were still in place and despite the tough economic
times, our 2008/2009 racing budgets had been re-worked to allow the team to
complete the season."
"However on-going malicious and false rumour and innuendo were taking an
unprecedented toll on both me and my family's personal and professional
wellbeing, and I was no longer enjoying racing as much."
So my initial reaction was dollars, but it sounds like it wasn't the case here. |
  V8Central WebMaster - Our motto is If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all
RIP05
_Mamg |
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Pod 3:16
Cunning Linguist
Australia
752 Posts
joined 17 Feb 03
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elfin 83
Pit Crew
185 Posts
joined 07 Jun 08
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Posted - 03 Feb 2009 : 21:23:13
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I think todays nine news explains why he shut the doors so quickly!!!!!!!!!!!
(DRUG BUST) |
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DRB05
Team Manager
Australia
3428 Posts
joined 04 Apr 08
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Trickyonne
Sex God
Vatican City
11411 Posts
joined 13 Apr 03
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Zac
Lumberjack
Australia
5549 Posts
joined 24 Dec 04
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Posted - 04 Feb 2009 : 08:19:24
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| Do we hang the guy first then take him to court, or is it the other way round? |
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Trickyonne
Sex God
Vatican City
11411 Posts
joined 13 Apr 03
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DRB05
Team Manager
Australia
3428 Posts
joined 04 Apr 08
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rocks harder
Pit Crew
Australia
240 Posts
joined 09 Dec 08
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Trickyonne
Sex God
Vatican City
11411 Posts
joined 13 Apr 03
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HRTKLR
No.1 Ford Fan
Australia
8481 Posts
joined 20 Dec 02
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Posted - 04 Feb 2009 : 22:39:40
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I heard that another 6 Australian drag racers (well known to those who follow ANDRA Championship Drag Racing) are implicated in this.
My guess is the cops will be manoeuvering to get them to finger Stevens. |
Edited by - HRTKLR on 04 Feb 2009 22:46:02 |
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bludvl
Formula Ford Driver
412 Posts
joined 27 Mar 08
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Trickyonne
Sex God
Vatican City
11411 Posts
joined 13 Apr 03
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Topic |
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Brett Stevens Racing
