Harrigan Geared Up For Shift To Lotus

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday April 23, 2005

By PAUL SUTTOR

FIGTREE driver James Harrigan is a step closer to his dream of competing on the V8 Supercar circuit after launching a new set of wheels.

After finishing ninth in the Aussie Racing Cars series last year, Harrigan has moved up to the Lotus Trophy division.

The Lotus season gets under way in Perth on May 6 and Harrigan is optimistic about his chances after finishing first at a recent testing session at Oran Park.

"This car has more high speed cornering capabilities (than Aussie Racing Cars)," he said. "They're very nimble and very technical to drive. If I can stay in the top three to five each race, I'll be a chance to make it on the podium for the championship."

The Lotus cars can reach speeds of more than 230kmh but Harrigan said most Australian circuits were too short to allow them to clock more than 200kmh regularly.

The 21-year-old racer fell in love with motor sport after hopping in a kart when he was just six.

"My initial goal for next year is probably moving up to the Konicas (division), but it depends on how everything falls into place this year," he said.

"You can wish as much as you want in motor sport but nothing really turns out as you plan.

"The eventual goal is to get into the V8 category Supercars."

Harrigan was keen to emphasise that his team was an all-Wollongong operation.

He and his crew live in the region and their workshop is at Unanderra.

Motor sport is never cheap and Harrigan said it was hard to attract enough financial backing to cover costs, although IMB had signed on as a major sponsor.

"I've got enough sponsorship to run it through a finance deal, like a normal car loan," he explained.

"I pay it off per month and, at the end of the year, I'll sell the car to pay off the rest of the finance."

© 2005 Illawarra Mercury

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