Mark McNally

Dale Wood is out and Mark McNally is in.

After copping a recent bagging from more experienced drivers in V8 Supercar land, Wood will no longer keep the Hi-Tec Oils Racing seat warm.

Instead, McNally has stepped into the Kelly Racing fold and makes his main game debut at the Dunlop Townville 400 next month.

Wood had come under fire from the likes of Jim Beam Racing driver James Courtney and Toll Holden Racing Teams’ Garth Tander for getting in the way at the last two V8 Supercar events.

After the Falken Tasmania Challenge in May, Courtney said Wood should get some more practice in the Fujitsu Series while Tander went one better at the Skycity Triple Crown and told the 26-year-old to go back to Formula Ford.

Wood was not on the lead lap but racing for position with Wow Racing’s Cameron McConville and Sprint Gas Racing’s Greg Murphy when he and Tander clashed.

The 26-year-old was sitting in 26th place on the Championship points table after the Darwin event and remains in contention for one of Kelly Racing’s two remaining endurance seats.

McNally hails from Perth in Western Australia and will take over the #16 Hi-Tec Commodore for the remaining nine events of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship.

He has been confirmed as one of Kelly Racing’s endurance drivers and his placement in the Hi-Tec car will give McNally more experience in the lead up to the enduros.

The 27-year-old will withdraw his #74 West Coast Racing Holden Commodore VZ from the Fujitsu Series races at Townsville to focus on his drive with Kelly Racing.

After the two Fujitsu Series events held so far for 2009, McNally sits in 16th place.

It has always been a goal of his to drive in V8 Supercars, the top level of Australia’s motorsport.

“Driving the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore from Townsville is a realisation of that dream, and importantly, will mean that I am a lot better prepared for Phillip Island and Bathurst,” McNally said.

“The Townsville event is brand new and it promises to be a big weekend. For me it will be extra special as I will be making my main game debut in what is a sensational opportunity for me.”

McNally has acknowledged that it will be an “incredibly tough event” due to the length of the races and the demands of a street circuit.

“The step up from the Fujitsu Series to the main game is a massive one and I’m well aware of the challenge that lies ahead,” he said.

“I know that I have a lot to learn, but working with Todd and Rick Kelly, Jack Perkins and all the guys at Kelly Racing is a fantastic opportunity for any guy making the step up to the top level of the sport.”

Kelly Racing Operations Manager, Patrick Ricci, said the team was pleased to offer McNally his V8 Supercar debut.

“We look forward to working with Mark and also thank Dale for his commitment and dedication to our team during our first five events,” Ricci said.

“Dale will remain an important part of the team for the remainder of the season.”