Shane Vella Racing

dated Friday, April 4, 2014 10:40 AM

Shane Vella Racing – News Release

It is with deep sadness that I announce the sale of and retirement of Shane Vella Racing Team. Over the past couple of years the team has faced its greatest challenge, celebrating consecutive Formula One championship honours, we have had to look realistically at the decision to continue in the Formula One circuit. It is with regret that budget constraints have pushed the team to the difficult and disappointing decision to retire from the Australian national formula one circuit.

It has been a story of glory, grief, heartbreak, honour, learning, luck, determination and dedication that has brought the SVR team from its roots as Panarroti’s Pizza and Pasta, Spurs Steak house to its continued success as The Lindenvel Group #61.

In an environment where sponsorship value is paramount, both of our sponsors Panarottis Pizza and Pasta, Spurs Steak house and The Lindenvel Group proudly went above and beyond to ensure SVR’s longevity in the Formula One water sports arena for over a decade.

There are many people I would like to thank, however, at the risk of forgetting someone, there are just too many to list. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has been involved with Shane Vella Racing and the fondly named “Yella Fella” since its inception in 2002. Thank you to my sponsors, suppliers, supporters, fans, friends, my family, in particular my two amazing children Cameron & Stephanie who have ridden this roller coaster ride with me. Tim Seebold for producing 4 amazing Championship winning boats, and my loyal crew for being a part of a truly amazing period.

Racing has been a huge part of my life since I started ski racing some 26 years ago. I still can’t quite believe that the day has come where the team has now been sold to an overseas consortium. The “Yella Fella” or F1 #61 has brought so much joy into my life as well as many others. The memories and great times we have had will never be forgotten.

There have been significant hurdles to get over in order to keep #61 in the family. I have the utmost respect for #61 and I can only hope that the new owners are endeared to her as much as my fans, my crew and I have been.






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This has been a racing dream for me. I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing people in Australia and
around the world, raced beside legends and won my fair share of great races. 4 Australian Championships titles,
winning my first in my very first year of racing F1, doing the bridge to bridge and winning super class with line honours,
breaking the outboard record (unfortunately it was not recognised due to me not registering in that class). Testing
speeds of 163mph (not claimed) for the Bridge to Bridge in 2013, luck was not with us on race day. There are just so
many highlights to mention to the devastating heartbreak of destroying 2 boats. My first Seebold in Tasmania
absolutely destroyed itself and then to my third brand new carbon fibre Seebold, delaminating on the straight causing
it to roll and be stuck in the sand, which in turn rendered me stuck in the cockpit unable to get out. That was the
crash that changed Formula One racing in Australia. It made it much safer and 90 percent of drivers converted to
full-face masks with oxygen on-board.

To my first crew chief Paul “Coco” Armstrong and my last crew chief Matt Garner you have equally put an enormous
effort into my team in your time from the start to the finish. Words cannot express how truly grateful I am to each of
you for your time, effort and most of all your endless support and contribution to SVR.
My days of racing with 15-18 boats, running with 3 or 4 boats side by side for 3-4 laps doesn’t get much better. It
didn’t matter what position you were in, the respect that the drivers have for one another is nothing short of incredible
when you consider the speed at which we raced to each and every turn buoy. It is no mean feat.
The television and promotional days and footage captured by Fox Sports, SBS Speed Week and Channel 9 were just
amazing.

My achievements over the years are not bad for a little shop fitter from Penrith in Western Sydney. I wish #61 all the
best in the future and it’s new home, and look forward to seeing it someday on the net as a championship winning
boat.

For me personally, I would like to continue my involvement in the sport and welcome any teams that are seeking
assistance or looking to lease a boat or need a driver to think of me in order to stay in the sport that has given me so
much.

Finally, to everyone involved in the sport, series promoters, club presidents, APBPA, rescue divers and all those behind
the scene, without you guys, we would not have had the chance to take this sport to another level when we
commenced in 2002. It is a very emotional time for SVR and I cannot say thank you enough to everyone that has
crossed my path in the past decade.

I look forward to seeing you on the water.

Yours in racing,

Shane Vella

The Yella Fella F1#61LaLaLa

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