Driver: Mark Ford
Navigator: Kelley Gibbs
Car: 1967 Aston Martin DB6
Email Address: briaandmark@paradise.net.nz
Website: N/A

Comments:

Mark Ford, a commercial lawyer from Wellington, New Zealand formed the team for the September 2000 SSCC as the result of a bet. Having run Porsches in 1996 and 1997, Mark was entered in an Aston Martin DB6 owned by Kelley Gibbs of Piedmont CA so couldn't join the Porsche Cheeseheads. Forming a team for 'orphan' import cars seemed a natural alternative.

In 1996, Marked shipped his 1973 Porsche 911RS from New Zealand to run 3rd in the 120 class and take out the inaugural Rookie of the Event award. In 1997 he ran a borrowed 1997 Porsche Boxster with his (now) wife Bria Keenan. They picked up 3rd in the 105 class and the car won the car show trophy for "Most Exotic".

In 2000, Mark ran the Aston in the 100 class and, in the face of rapidly falling oil pressure, was as happy as navigator/owner, Kelley Gibbs, to see the finish line and not suffer a 'low trap' DQ.

Mark believes he is the only Silver State racer to go slower each year and fully expects to be running a Zamboni in the 95 class before he's done!

Mark's most usual motorsport activity is dual car sprints and Porsche Club of New Zealand track days. He plans to run the 6-day Targa New Zealand (http://www.targa.co.nz/) in October 2001 in a Porsche.