Porter and Brede to drive second BOC Falcon.

By Matthew Agius

Albury based Team BOC has revealed its drive line-ups for the forthcoming V8 Supercar long-distance races, with a new face and an old friend joining the Ford minnows for Sandown and Bathurst.

Dale Brede will be joined in the #14 BOC Ford BA Falcon by Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series driver Mark Porter. Having driven for the Team BOC/Brad Jones Racing operation in 2005, Brede is already familiar with the team, and has participated in several test days for the Albury squad. However with limited V8 time by comparison to his new co-driver, the former Team Dynamik pilot is looking forward to getting into race mode come September.

"It's been hard not doing any driving this year; I would have rather done a few more miles," said Brede.

I've done plenty of laps in a V8 Supercar though, so I am sure that with the couple of test sessions the team has planned prior to Sandown, both Mark and I will be up to speed before both events.

"I've been watching the Fujitsu Series closely this year and have seen Mark getting amongst it, so it will be great to finally get our hands on one of the Team BOC Falcons at Sandown."

Mark Porter has been easily one of the top three fastest drivers in this year's Fujitsu Series, often dicing with championship leader Adam Macrow at the front of the pack. Despite this, the essential factor of luck hasn't been present at the garage of Porter's M-Sport Racing team, however his pace this year has certainly been a standout amongst the rest of the field.

Having previously driven for Longhurst Racing and Team Kiwi Racing in the endurance races, Porter's switch to a Ford operation is one that he hopes will benefit his push to becoming a main series pilot.

"We've had a pretty busy year so far and I don't see it slowing down. As with the last few years at Bathurst, I will be driving my own car in the Fujitsu Series as well as the Team BOC Falcon in the 1000, so that's always a challenge," Porter said.

"Team BOC have had a difficult run in the championship so far this year, but hopefully Dale and I can try and help them out and get a good result in the endurance races. I'm really looking forward to getting in one of their Falcons at Winton next week and then again at Sandown in a month or so.

"It's also going to be great to work alongside both Brad and John. They both have a pretty enviable record at Bathurst, as does Team BOC, so to be driving alongside them is going to be a great learning experience for me."

Team BOC has previously enjoyed success at Mount Panorama during the illustrious Bathurst 1000. Most recently lead pair John Bowe and Brad Jones finished third in 2004, but several years beforehand, Jones was joined by Scotsman John Cleland - finishing second in the 2001 event. Porter's signing ends Cleland's tenure with the team, which saw him drive in five Bathursts alongside both Brad and Andrew Jones, and Brede in 2005.

Team BOC has struggled in the 2006 V8 Supercar Championship Series, so it appears (at this stage) doubtful that the cars will be competitive in the long distance races. However the team has a test scheduled at Winton Raceway on August 1, and are renowned Bathurst specialists, so their may be a surprise in store from the perennial minnows of the V8 fraternity.