The IRWIN Team
Stone Brothers Racing has a specialized, highly skilled team of people whose full time job is to prepare the IRWIN Ford and Shane Van Gisbergen’s car for the V8 Supercar Championship.
As glamorous as the industry looks, V8 professionals work extremely hard and endure long hours, both at the track and away.
IRWIN Racing has a talented and dedicated team of seven whose sole responsibility at the track is to ensure the IRWIN Falcon is ready for racing.
These people are:
David Stuart – Chief Engineer
David is one of the highest credentialed and best engineers down pit lane and has worked at SBR for several years having also worked for DJR. David’s job is to engineer the IRWIN Falcon so that Alex Davison can get the best out of it. This is achieved by David collaborating with his Data Engineer, Josh Riddle, and with Alex. As a group they look at the car’s data from each session, absorb the feedback and make strategic decisions on the next stage of car development. David is also the team’s manager.
Josh Riddle – Data Engineer
The Data Engineer tends to be the junior role within the engineering group but this is not to say that the person filling the position is lacking in experience. Far from it, Josh has been with SBR for XXXX years and has worked on the IRWIN Ford for XXXX years. Highly trained, Josh’s job is to closely monitor the technical data generated by the IRWIN Ford, watching closely for any irregularities. Josh and David work as a mini-team and focus on improving the performance of the car.
Ben Croke – Crew Chief
The workshop Crew Chief is one of the busiest roles within a professional V8 Supercar team. It is Ben’s responsibility to ensure his team of mechanics are preparing the car in accordance with the directions made by the engineering team. In theory the Crew Chief is a managing position, but in reality Ben works with the crews of both cars, getting his hands dirty when required. Ben liaises with the engineers, the mechanics and upper management. Akin to an all-rounder in Cricket, he’s always involved in the game.
Rob Paterson – #1 Mechanic
As the title indicates, Rob is the number one mechanic on the IRWIN Ford. As the more experienced mechanic, Rob takes the lead on preparing the car and is responsible for ensuring it is presented, both from a mechanical and an aesthetic point of view, perfectly for the next track session. From a people management perspective, Rob is responsible for leading and educating the number two mechanic.
Josh Lightfoot – #2 Mechanic
As the #2 mechanic on the IRWIN Falcon Josh has just as much responsibility when it comes to the preparation of the car as the number one mechanic. Attention to detail and ensuring all tasks are carried out, whether directed from the crew chief or the #1 mechanic, are critical. Like Rob, Josh is highly skilled and knows every part on the car inside out.
Jim Marsh – Tyre Technician
As important as driver, team, engine, chassis set up and budget are to the success of a team if you don’t have someone that knows how to prepare tyres, then you can almost forget about going racing. Jim keeps his very closely trained eye on every one of the tyres that is being used at the track or within the stock pile of tyres housed at the workshop. Relaying information about tyre wear and temperatures to the engineers and driver is critical so that the car is competitive. Like all tyre professionals, Jim also drives the IRWIN Racing B-Double transporter.
Lance Smith – Fabricator
The fabricator builds the car and repairs it after it has raced. Lance ensures the car is straight following any on-track skirmishes and at events ensures the panels are painted and stickered up. Lance has a truck full of spares that are pre-stickered and ready to be bolted on to the IRWIN Ford. IRWIN Racing goes to an event with spare bonnets, front and rear 3 / 4 panels, doors, skirts, boots, wings, front and rear bars and of course the roof.