David is one reason why everything at SBR runs so smoothly. Highly organized, with a spot-on attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the sport and its administration, David keeps a close eye on the running of the IRWIN Tools Ford during a race weekend and ensures everything is considered and ready to go in the workshop away from the track. Ross and Jimmy’s right hand man is also a highly credentialed engineer having run the IRWIN car during Alex Davison’s tenure and was an engineer at DJR for many years before moving to SBR.

Ben Croke – Crew Chief

Ben has been the Crew Chief for the past few years but has just clocked up 10 seasons (and long service entitlements – which is rare in motor sport) at SBR. He has been involved in motor sport for 15 years, starting in V8s with Larry Perkins after a stint in Britain working for Honda in the British Touring Car Championship. A trained mechanic, Ben worked on the Pirtek Ford Falcon during SBR’s championship winning years, where he won two titles with Marcos Ambrose. The Crew Chief is one of the busiest roles within a professional V8 Supercar team. Ben liaises with the engineers, the mechanics and upper management ensuring everyone and everything is ready for the race. Also a part of the pit crew, Ben’s role is akin to an all-rounder in Cricket, he’s always involved in the game.

Engineer – Brad Wischusen

Growing up in a racing environment with his dad meant that Brad knew everything when it came to building a car, but his formal training came later when he completed an engineering degree at Melbourne’s respected RMIT. Straight out of university Brad got a job as a junior data engineer at Garry Rogers Motorsport, where he was introduced to and worked with Lee Holdsworth. Having spent two years with Paul Morris Motorsport engineering for Russell Ingall, Brad joined SBR late last year and has been reunited with Holdworth as his race engineer.

Data Engineer – Ray Richards

Ray is IRWIN Racing’s newest recruit. He has just moved to Queensland and SBR from England where he was a mechanical engineer working for XTC dampers. His race experience includes damper work for Citroen in the World Rally team. Ray will work hand in glove with Brad and Lee, keeping a close eye on the performance of the IRWIN Tools Ford, assisting with the engineering of the car and developing race strategy.

#1 Mechanic – Luke Gelding

Luke started with SBR at the start of 2011 having returned from a stint overseas. Luke worked as a mechanic for Garry Rogers before concentrating on the FIA GT Series, Daytona prototypes and the Porsche Supercup – which is the main support to Formula 1 around the globe. Luke started working on car 9 before being moved to the IRWIN Ford at Tasmania last year. His job is to ensure the car is mechanically  perfect before hitting the track.

#2 Mechanic – Paul Auditore

Paul has been with the team for almost two seasons after working as a mechanic at Carmichael Ford in Townsville. Paul met Ross Stone at the Townsville event and wanted to know what he should do to get a job in motor sport. He listened to the advice, got some experience and approached Ross about a full-time job some time later. Impressed with Paul’s attitude, Ross put him on as the number two mechanic on the IRWIN Tools Ford and has continued to impress. He is a #1 mechanic in the making.

#3 Mechanic / Fabricator – Lance Smith

Lance has worked on the IRWIN car for three years and been with SBR for just as long. A panel beater by trade, Lance has over 15 years of experience and was involved in Speedway racing in his native New Zealand. At the workshop Lance builds all the panels needed to not only complete a car, but he ensures there are plenty of spares. At the track he is the first to assess any damage after an incident, assists the mechanics were required and is the refueler in a pit stop.

Tyre Technician / B-double driver – Wayne Cowper

Wayne started with IRWIN Racing at the start of the 2011 season, but don’t let that fool you into thinking that he’s new to the sport. Wayne is one of the most experienced tyre technicians and transporter drivers down pit lane. A mechanic by trade, he started racing in the 2-Litre days and spent seven years working for Mark Larkham. The job of tyre technician is a critical one, with every race won or lost on tyre wear and tyre inflation rates. As a truck driver, Wayne is the first to get to the track and the last to leave.

Engines – Peter Wallace

Peter is a former flag marshal that started working on race engines in 1988. He’s worked on open-wheeler cars, Supertourers and Porsches and has built V8 Supercars engines for Mark Larkham, DJR and now SBR. One of the most talented engine builders in the sport, Peter builds and maintains all of the IRWIN and SBR engines at the workshop and at the track, and was one of the key people when SBR supplied engines to several teams down pit lane. During a race weekend maintains and closely monitors the performance of the engines.