V8 Supercars Fan Group News Editor, “Rahul”, caught up with V8 Supercar driver Dean Fiore from Triple F Racing after Townsville to talk all things V8s. This interview is exclusive only to the V8 Supercars Fan Group and goes deep into the life of a V8 Supercar driver.

RAHUL: In your own opinion how do you think yourself as a driver and Triple F Racing as team has operated so far in the 2009 season?

DEAN: I think I have been going ok so far this year. It has been a massive learning curve for me, having only ever completing 20 laps in a V8 Supercar before Clipsal. Ideally I would have liked to have done Fujitsu for at least a year before going into the Championship series, but the offer we had on the table compared to the offers we had in Fujitsu, the choice was easy!

As a team it has been a fair challenge for me running the commercial side of Triple F Racing. The main focus has been trying to secure a naming rights sponsor. I have been working really hard with Damien White (Marketing and Sponsorship manager) to try and secure the major backing. In terms of the day to day, race to race running of the team it is actually an extension of Paul Morris Motorsports (PMM) and they have been doing a fantastic job so far.

RAHUL: What is the lifestyle of a V8 Supercar Driver like? Is it as luxurious and glamorous as many think and is it what you expected?

DEAN: My life as a Porsche racer was a lot more luxurious and glamorous than life is for me now as a V8 Supercar driver. For the past three years while I was steering the Porsche, I was doing a lot of driver training and that for me was just awesome! I love working with and teaching people how to drive, weather it be safety or advanced I really get a buzz out of people appreciating and learning from what I have to say.

I did driver training for Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Audi, Lexus, Hummer and more. The majority of it was done for Mercedes Benz and it took me all over the world, travelling with good mates seeing places like KL, Vietnam, Singapore, it was very hard to call it work! As opposed to now, just absolutely head down bum up trying to stabilise the team financially. Don’t get me wrong, I love it! But I’m not a Garth Tander or Craig Lowndes, I’m just another dude, nobody really knows me.........

RAHUL: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

DEAN: Driving for a very successful V8 Supercar team. It may not be Triple F Racing either, I am not closing off the option of driving for a factory team down the track and have someone else in the Triple F seat. I am confident Triple F Racing can make it as a successful V8 Supercar team. I, and my brothers Paul and Todd are surrounded by successful and determined people, so I know we will make it work. The main person being our Dad; (Frank) he has succeeded in many things in life and for us to have him to draw advice and experience from is priceless.

RAHUL: What’s the biggest hurdle you had to overcome so far in your V8 supercar career?

DEAN: Endurance. I have never been subjected to such long races. I am used to (coming from Carrera Cup) 20 minute sprint races, not 250km races back to back in one weekend. Paul Morris had to carry me from the car at the end of race 1 at Clipsal. I had blisters all over my feet, I taught myself how to left foot brake purely because I had no other choice, I could not physically press the pedal with my right foot. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

RAHUL: Is Triple F Racing a very family orientated team with yourself and Todd and Paul?

DEAN: Like I mentioned above, the race team, in a technical sense, is run by PMM. Todd does the accounts and I do most other things, Paul is a very big part of the family business (Landscape Development) and he doesn’t really have much time on his hands. Todd and I like it that way! Hahaha.

RAHUL: Your car is running a predominantly white livery, with not many sponsors. Is there a need for a major sponsor to come onboard?

DEAN: Is there ever?!?! Yes there is a need for a major sponsor. We have entered into an agreement with Paul Morris Motorsports that we will be able to fulfil. Further, regardless of an increase in our current level of funding, we will comply with all terms of the Racing Entitlement Contract; so there’s no fear of us “falling over”. The reality is, to do the best job possible, we need a significant improvement in our current revenue from sponsorship. This, among other things, would allow us to buy all upgrades from PMM as they become available.  We are very active in the market, and are as aware as anyone how tough it is.

RAHUL: What is the GFC 1200?

DEAN: The GFC 1200 is a sponsorship program that was designed to appeal to the people who can’t afford to sponsor a V8 supercar team but want to be involved on some level with personal interaction with our team. It has been the perfect kick start to the flow of commercial support.

Every phone call or meeting seemed to end with, "due to the GFC"... so we have simply converted the acronym to stand for the Go Fiore Club, with an entry price of $1200. From that we have already generated over 15 new supporters, some of whom are already looking at ways to become involved at a higher level.

RAHUL: How can companies/people take advantage of this initiative?

DEAN: They can contact the Triple F Racing Sponsorship Manager, Damien White via email; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . He will talk them through the process and the return.

RAHUL: You’ve experienced success in other categories, and will most definitely in the near future in this category. Can you describe the feeling of success as best as you can with words?

DEAN: Firstly can I say, I feel as though Triple F Racing is already successful in V8 Supercar racing, simply by the fact we are competing at that level. It is, as you and the readers know, an intense high level competition. The fact we’ve been able to pick up the pieces of a team that succumbed to the financial pressure and kick on without missing a round is a fair success. With initiatives such as the GFC 1200 you can see we’re a proactive outfit when it comes to ensuring our ongoing success.

As a driver, winning races is the best feeling! (Sorry Kelly – girlfriend) In Formula Ford and Carrera Cup all the events were 3 race events. So if you were having a great weekend, you wouldn’t really let the emotion take over until you took out overall honours, mainly because you and the team were focusing on repeating that performance in the remaining races for the weekend. Having success also generates a really good vibe for entire team, often lasting until the next round.

RAHUL: Is there any word on who will be co-piloting the number 12 machine, at the two enduro races scheduled for later on in the year?

DEAN: We are yet to sign anyone. No word just yet..........

RAHUL: Are there any long term plans for Triple F Racing and what you want to achieve?

DEAN: We haven’t really looked too far down the road with Triple F, mainly because we have been run off our feet since we attained the REC and our main focus has been to lock a major sponsor in.

RAHUL: Is there anything you would like to say to the Triple F Racing fans out there?

DEAN: We have fans?...........I would like to thank them very much for their support of our team! Further more, keep supporting us as I think we have the right recipe for success in the future.

RAHUL: I would like to thank you for your time and wish you all the best for the rest of the 2009 V8 Supercar Season.

DEAN: Thank you V8SFG. It was my pleasure contributing to your organisation. Cheers, Dean Fiore

Copyright - V8SFG 2009 | Author - Rahul