Click here for Jason's career stats
As a second generation racer, Jason Bargwanna made his racing debut at 16 years of age competing in a variety of categories including Formula Vee, Formula Ford and Formula Brabham.
After several successful years in the open wheel categories Bargwanna made his debut in a V8 Supercar at the Sandown 500 in 1997.
In 1998 he was rewarded with a full time drive in the Championship, justifying his place in Australia’s elite group of drivers by finishing on the podium in only his second round - in Tasmania.
During his rookie year as a full time driver in the championship Bargwanna notched up his maiden race win (at Sandown) and claimed thee podium finishes. In the same year he also finished on the podium in non-championship events at Surfers Paradise and the Bathurst 1000.
Bargwanna’s dedication and hard work was rewarded with his first championship round win at Winton Raceway in 1999. He dominated the round by setting the fastest qualifying time and winning all three races. He continued this form throughout the year and finished second in the inaugural Queensland 500 while paired with Garth Tander.
The highlight of Bargwanna’s career thus far came in 2000 when he won Australia's most prestigious race, the Bathurst 1000 with Tander. This victory capped off another good year for the pint-sized pilot as he had already clinched podium finishes at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and the Queensland 500 along with the victory at Winton for the second year running.
After a lean year in 2001 Bargwanna bounced back in 2002 to finish on the podium in the Queensland 500 for the third time in four years. The year was highlighted by a crowd-pleasing victory in the inaugural championship round on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
At the end of 2002 Bargwanna joined Larkham Motor Sport to pilot a Ford for the first time. Throughout the year he showed some good bursts of speed enjoying some pleasing results.
During 2004 Bargwanna continued to mature as a driver and rewarded the team with seven top ten finishes, five of which came in the final six rounds. He was rewarded with eighth in the Championship, recording his best result since 2000 where he finished seventh.
The icing on the cake for Bargwanna during 2004 was his podium finish at the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge on the Gold Coast, the 13th of his championship career.
2005 was a character building year for Bargwanna. In a year which tested his durability, Bargwanna’s best result was a fifth place at Barbagallo, a career best at the Western Australian circuit. During 2005 he also made his 100th championship round start - at Symmons Plains in Tasmania.
When Mark Larkham merged his team with WPS Racing at the end of 2005 Bargwanna moved across to the fledgling team alongside Max Wilson. Bargwanna recorded seven top ten race results and finished five rounds inside the top ten.
During 2007 Bargwanna’s best result came in the Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama where he finished seventh.
In 2008 the WPS racing team closed its doors one week prior to the season; leaving Bargwanna as a frustrated spectator. He joined the Rod Nash Racing team for the enduro events at Phillip Island and Bathurst and was on the pace straight away.
To keep his eye in for a full return to the V8 Supercar championship in 2009, Jason has been commentating for Seven and BigPond TV as well as competing in the Mini Challenge Series.
In the three rounds in which Jason competed he put his Mini on pole each time, had nine race wins and won all three round. He also recorded two lap records and topped every time sheet.
While Bargs has enjoyed the Mini Series his attention this year has always focussed on a return to V8 Supercars. When the opportunity presented to join Sprint Gas Racing, it was too good to say no too.
Bargs will drive the #3 Sprint Gas Racing Holden Commodore, partnering Greg Murphy on the track in 2009.
Bargwanna‘s desire and passion to be competitive and successful burn stronger than ever; look out 09!