TWO-TIME Australian Drivers’ Champion Joey Mawson will aim to join an elite group of racing legends when he returns to defend his crown once again in this year’s S5000 season.

The Sydneysider will aim for a three-peat of titles thanks to a new partnership between Mawson, 88Racing and major sponsor ACMFinance.com.

Additionally, each round will feature an additional major brand supporting the team, to be released the week prior to each event.

Mawson will drive the ACMFinance.com-supported 88Racing S5000 entry, which will be ably fielded by Team BRM this year.

On learning Joey was available, the team went to work in seeking additional support from its supporter network with success.

As a result, 88Racing teamed up with Team BRM as a joint, coordinated effort for the year.

While the car will run under the 88Racing banner, it will operate out of the BRM garage at each round to create a highly competitive joint-forces campaign on the title this year.

In returning for a third S5000 campaign, Mawson will aim to join John McCormack, Paul Stokell, Mark Skaife, Alfredo Costanzo and Bib Stillwell as a three-time champion of Motorsport Australia’s premier driving award, the Gold Star.

In two seasons, Mawson has become the benchmark in S5000 competition with more wins, podiums, pole positions, fastest laps and laps led than any other driver.

He’s the only driver to start every championship points-paying round (13) and race (40) in S5000 history.

88Racing is a foundation team in S5000 competition, owned and operated by former Formula Ford State champion, Gold Star and Formula Holden racer, Albert Callegher.

As well as introducing several young rising stars to the category, the team has won races with Cooper Webster and Josh Fife behind the wheel of their familiar white, purple and pink entry.

Meanwhile, BRM are the most successful team in Australian ‘Wings & slicks’ open-wheel history and last year claimed their record eighth Gold Star crown.

The S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship season commences at AWC Race Tasmania in two weeks, this February 24-26.

QUOTES:

Joey Mawson:

“Being in the same paddock I’ve got to know Albert (Callegher) in the past and when he came forward with this plan to Mark, I thought about it and it was all positives.

“It’s really exciting and will be quite cool to be in new colours and representing 88Racing and continuing on with Team BRM as well for a third season.

“I’ve always loved to be part of S5000, it’s my favourite category I’ve been in and to come back is truly a blessing.

“The chance to compete for a third Australian Drivers’ Championship is special. When I look back at the history books, some have done the double but becoming a three-time champion puts you in elite company.

“Mark Skaife won it three times and he was a hero of mine when I was growing up, so to have the chance to emulate that is special.

“It’s a huge challenge, but an incredible opportunity for the year.

“Every year there are new drivers and competition, every year the level goes up and up and it gets harder to stay on top.”