Richard Lyons locked into V8 Supercars enduros

Irish driver Richard Lyons will partner Jonathon Webb in the Mother Energy Racing Falcon FG at Phillip Island and Bathurst this year.

Lyons, 31, last competed in the V8 Supercars endurance races in 2007, partnering Allan Simonsen at TeamVodafone, finishing fifth in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Team owner/driver Webb told Speedcafe.com.au that he is pleased to have wrapped up his enduro co-driver deal early.

“Finding a good driver is always tough, so it’s good to have Richard locked away now,” Webb told Speedcafe.com.au.

“He did a good job last time he was in Australia. He has been here and done it before, and we’ve been talking the same language on all of the car stuff, so it really made sense to us.”

Webb says that Lyons’ worldly experience will compensate for his lack of regular V8 miles.

“He does enough driving around the world and he’s constantly in cars,” Webb said.

“Car mileage is what it’s all about, which is one of the biggest issues for some of the local drivers. It won’t be an issue for us.

“And the Triple Eight chassis are an easy chassis to drive.”

Last year, Lyons competed in the Japanese SuperGT Series, finishing ninth in the title.

The L&H 500 will be held at Phillip Island on September 16-18, followed by the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 on October 6-9.