SHELL V-POWER RACING TEAM PREPARES FOR 2024 SEASON

Today, the Shell V-Power Racing Team announces a significant restructure in preparation for the 2024 Repco Supercars Championship Season.

Dr Ryan Story AM returns as Team Principal after stepping down at the end of 2020. Story, chairman and team co-owner, was responsible for rebuilding Dick Johnson Racing and led the Team to three Drivers Championships and three Teams Championships in his tenure from 2013.

Ben Croke joins Story as Team Manager, reuniting a successful partnership.

Celebrated Race Engineer, Ludo Lacroix, has chosen to pursue other opportunities and step back from the Shell V-Power Racing Team, having enjoyed an unparalleled career as the Team’s Competition Director since 2017.

The Shell V-Power Racing Team will field two Ford Mustang Gen3 Supercars in 2024 for Anton De Pasquale and Will Davison to be engineered by Perry Kapper and Richard Harris respectively. Kapper returns as a race engineer to the Team for the first time since 2010, having spearheaded the development of Gen3 for Ford and Dick Johnson Racing as Chief Engineer. Harris builds upon his strong relationship with Davison, with the pairing continuing into their fourth season with the famous Car #17.

As part of an overall engineering restructure, Mark Fenning has been appointed Director of Engineering to lead the charge as the Team focuses on returning to the front of the pack.

“2023 was a challenging year for us and certainly not at the level we aspire to be. We have learnt an enormous amount this year not only about the cars but in particular about ourselves. We have spent time reviewing the year and considering change” said David Noble, Chief Executive Officer.

“We pay tribute to the enormous effort of our staff and particularly thank Ludo for his contribution over many years and respect his decision to step back. In welcoming back Ryan to the fold and to have the experience and depth of talent in Mark Fenning and Perry Kapper in our engineering department, we have begun our 2024 preparations in earnest.” 

“Following a few years of health challenges, I’m delighted to return to the role of Team Principal,” Story said.

“We have a strong foundation upon which to build, and this restructure is all about looking towards the future for the ShellV-Power Racing Team.”

“Ludo will be sorely missed and we cannot thank himenough for his contribution to our successes over many years. Mark and Perry in particular have led us through the Windshear program and redressing the imbalances that have faced us in 2023. I’m excited at the challenges ahead of us!”

Dick Johnson AM was thrilled to welcome back Story.“Ryan is like a son to me and to welcome him back into this role means the world to all of us,” he said.

“We have great people, the best supporters and the best partners in the business. Bring on 2024!”