Au Uncorked

Newcomers - Including Power - Have Chance to Win Indy

According to a recent article on IndyStar.com, there is plenty of opportunity for a newcomer to walk away with victory at the Indy 500 later this month.

Team Australia’s Will Power, sponsored by Aussie Vineyards, was one of the rookies cited in the article by Curt Cavin as having a shot at the prestigious title this year. Cavin interviewed a number of Indy veterans including Tony Kanaan, a heavy favorite this year, who said he is not discounting the chances of the newcomers. Former 500 winner Bobby Rahal cited Power as one who he thinks can overcome inexperience to win the race.

Factors such as preparedness, knowledge, engineering and strategy were cited as more critical than in the past and may help newcomers overcome inexperience.

With as many as 13 rookies in the 33-car field, the world’s most famous motorsports event promises excitement again this year. The race will be held on May 25.

To see the entire article, Download indy_star_article.pdf

Team Australia Featured on TLC

Aussie Vineyards-sponsored Team Australia made their television debut on the TLC series “Hard Shine” during the network’s recent Turbo Charge programming block.

The show features Jimmy Shine, a famous hot rod builder who had troubles in the past but got his life back on track after SO-CAL Speed Shop’s president Pete Chapouris took him in. Shine will now give that same chance to one of five trainees who, like him, have faced obstacles and want a better life. One lucky rookie will win the chance to stay on and work full time at SO-CAL Speed Shop.

Jimmy and his crew pitched in at Team Australia’s Indianapolis workshop and with the Team Australia crew at the Portland Grand Prix to get an insider’s look at working with a professional racing team. As Team Australia members for the day, they also got to practice pit stops and work various jobs in front of a national television audience.

Aussie Vineyards Featured in NASCAR Garage Interview

DirecTV recently interviewed Aussie Vineyards president, Duncan Shaw, during the Save Mart 350 NEXTEL CUP race at Infineon Speedway. Shaw discussed Team Australia’s sponsorship of racing legend Boris Said at the race in California’s wine country, and also had a chance to showcase Aussie Vineyards wines. 

The interview aired live on DirecTV’s NASCAR HOT PASS coverage of the race.

For the full interview, go to http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6438619537856239358

Ambrose and Said Featured on SPEED Channel

Marcos Ambrose, Australian-born driver of the Aussie Vineyard-backed #59 Kingsford Charcoal Ford Fusion, Wood Brothers/JTG Racing, and Boris Said, driving for Aussie Vineyards in the #60 Ford Fusion car at the NASCAR® NEXTEL Cup race in Sonoma, Calif., will be featured on three episodes of SPEED Channel’s Survival of the Fastest.

Survival of the Fastest, a weekly half-hour documentary series, goes behind closed doors with NASCAR NEXTEL Cup teams as they plan and prepare to survive the ultra-competitive world of stock car racing, telling the story over a period of several weeks and from the perspective of several different team members.

In addition to access to team meetings and strategy sessions, the show conducted sit-down interviews and ride-along sessions with Ambrose and Said. Also featured are drivers and crew chiefs from other Wood Brothers teams, including the #21 NEXTEL Cup team and the #47 Busch Series team.
The show’s season premiere broadcast on June 8 on the SPEED Channel. Check your local listings for future episodes.

USA Today Features Marcos Ambrose

Another national news outlet has taken notice of Team Australia! 

USA Today featured Marcos Ambrose in a recent article entitled "Ambrose Living every NASCAR Fan's Dream" chronicling his rise from a young fan of NASCAR in Launceston, Tasmania- the island south of Australia-to his standing as sixth in the NASCAR Busch Series after seven races this year.

Aussie Vineyards is the associate sponsor for his #59 car.

To read the article go to  http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/2007-04-11-3333287932_x.htm?POE=click-refer. 

Time Magazine Takes Notice

While Aussie Vineyards has known for some time that wine and NASCAR make great partners, Time Magazine has just recently noticed the trend.

In the March 5th online edition of TIME, the national newsmagazine cites a new Nielsen Sports survey showing wine consumption among NASCAR fans is up 22% from last year.

The article goes on to feature an astute quote from none other than Aussie Vineyard president Duncan Shaw regarding the wine producer’s involvement in NASCAR:

"By exposing ourselves to the distributors and retailers who are also NASCAR fans, we were able to get into major markets and take part in the marketing power of the NASCAR road show."

While A.J. Foyt may not be first in line, it looks as though there are plenty of NASCAR fans who are just as happy with a merlot as a Miller Lite.