No fuel left in Todd’s tank
A DODGY knee will force Todd Kelly to end his career following the Newcastle 500 with the Nissan veteran yesterday announcing his Supercars retirement.
Kelly has revealed two knee surgeries this season will see him end his 20-year V8 career following this weekend’s grand finale at the all new Newcastle CBD street track.
Kelly stormed his way to V8 prominence in 2005 when he won the Bathurst 1000 with Holden legend Mark Skaife.
“I’ve had knee surgery twice this year,’’ Kelly said. “And it’s been a decent battle.
“I’ve decided to hang up the helmet at the end of this season. To have a 20-year career doing something you love is pretty special.
“It’s been a long, solid and clean career of being a professional driver. And even though I would probably change a few things if I had my time again, there’s not anything I regret over that period.”
Kelly’s decision to retire comes just days after fellow veteran Jason Bright announced he would be pulling the pin on his full-time career following this weekend’s season ending event.
The Nissan Motorsport coowner said he made the decision to call it quits following a difficult season.
“I love driving, and that’s what kept me going for 20 years,’’ said the 38-year-old.
“I love getting the most out of a car. I love going around a fast corner having the thing sideways at 240km/h. The fear factor has not crept in as I’ve got older, so I’ve not lost any of that enjoyment at all.”