Motorsport: Rising star gets fulltime 2011 V8 ride

Steve Owen and Jamie Whincup celebrate after winning race two of the Gold Coast 600. Photo / Getty Images

Considered V8 Supercars' next big thing, Steve Owen says his apprenticeship under two-time champion Jamie Whincup will help him give the 2011 season a "damn good shake".

Winner of the second-tier Fujitsu series this year, Owen has graduated into the big time after snapping up a 2011 V8 Supercars ride with the VIP Petfoods-backed Paul Morris Motorsports Commodore.

Owen turned heads this year when he partnered Team Vodafone's Whincup in the three endurance events, finishing second in the iconic Bathurst 1000 before winning at the Gold Coast 600.

Owen said time spent alongside Whincup and Team Vodafone teammate Craig Lowndes had steeled him for a 2011 assault.

"It was a great insight into a winning team - straight away you look around and say `now I know why these guys do so well'," he said.

"There is no secret to it, just in every aspect they are very good.

"I have trained with Jamie throughout the year, and I know how good he is as an athlete and a driver, and how motivated he is.

"And now I know a bit more about his driving style and Lowndesy's.

"They are all the things that have been a huge help to me and will help me next year as well."

Owen has been further buoyed by the fact Paul Morris Motorsports will be aligned with Triple Eight Engineering - who provide the same technical expertise to Team Vodafone.

"This is my biggest opportunity to forge a career at the top level so I'm going to grasp it with both hands and give it a damn good shake," Owen said.

"They have good equipment and good people so I'm really looking forward to working with them."

Owen's first outing in his new Commodore will be at the official V8 Supercars pre-season test day at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway on January 29.

The 2011 season starts at Abu Dhabi from February 12-14.

- AAP