PRESS ROOM

St Kilda’s Sam Gilbert in the Fast Lane at Sandown

Midas 400, Sandown International Motor Raceway, VIC

07 June 2008

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney introduced St Kilda footballer Sam Gilbert to the V8 Supercar fast lane today, taking the Saints backman for a speedy three laps around Sandown International Motor Raceway.

Gilbert’s hot lap follows Courtney’s appointment as the number “4” ambassador for St Kilda back in May when midfielder Aaron Fiora met with the JELD-WEN Motorsport driver at the Telstra Dome.

Fiora presented the V8 Supercar driver with his number 4 jumper and drilled him in the skills of kicks, handballs and marks before Courtney attended his very first AFL game in the round against Collingwood.

Gilbert, who is recovering from an ac joint injury, got the lucky ticket to take the hot lap with James whilst Fiora looked on jealously from the Stone Brothers Racing garage, resting up for tomorrow’s game against the Western Bulldogs.

Both Gilbert and Fiora will return to the track on Monday to see James in action in the final race.

Gilbert was impressed with his taste of V8 Supercars.

“That was pretty quick,” he gushed as he got out of the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon.

“At the first corner I wanted to get out of the car. I thought we were only doing one lap, then we went around again, and then again. It was great. I could have kept going.

“James kept hitting me on the arm pointing to the dash to show me how fast we were going!

“There won’t be a career change for me though; I’ll leave the racing to James.”

Courtney enjoyed having Gilbert in the car.

“I have been looking forward to having Sam and Aaron out at the track today so they can see my world up a bit closer. I’m sure Ross Lyon would rather have Sam available to play but seeing as he has been ruled out I was more than happy to take him for a workout round the track in my car!” said Courtney.

“It’s a lot of fun having someone sitting beside you. When something good happens in a race it’s just me in the car and I don’t have anyone to comment to. With a passenger, I can say ‘How good was that!’”

Courtney will be back on track at Sandown tomorrow at 9:55am for qualifying, followed by race one at 12:50pm.

Fiora will play in St Kilda’s match against the Western Bulldogs at Telstra Dome tomorrow, with Gilbert watching from the sidelines.

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St Kilda’s Sam Gilbert in the Fast Lane at Sandown

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