Virgin Racing sign D'Ambrosio for 2011 season

The Virgin Racing Formula One team have signed up Belgian Jerome D?Ambrosio to drive for them next year partering Germany's Timo Glock. He will replace as the team's second driver, Brazilian Lucas Di Grassi.

A team statement said that D'Ambrosio had successfully concluded an evaluation role with the team, which saw him take part in the free practice sessions of the Singapore, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Grands Prix.

When he lines up in the opening race of the 2011 season in Bahrain on March 13, he will be the first Belgian driver to compete in Formula One since Phillipe Adams 17 years ago.

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Dogs appoint Garlick CEO

FORMER Western Bulldogs and Sydney Swans forward Simon Garlick will take over as club CEO replacing Campbell Rose.

The 35-year-old, who played 137 games for the Dogs between 1998 and 2004 and 44 for the Swans between 1994 and 1997, will move from his current position as club chief commercial officer.

Garlick impressed the selection panel with his understanding of the AFL industry, which he honed by being a member of the AFLPA executive and as a key member of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation in recent years.

"He brings a high level of commercial acumen to the role, he has proved to be an outstanding candidate with ideal credentials to lead the organisation," club president David Smorgon said.

"The selection subcommittee felt that Simon's successful track record, his deep appreciation of our organisation and the wider AFL industry as a whole, combined with his determination and commitment to succeed placed him as the standout candidate."

The Bulldogs had a wide variety of applicants interested in the role and were impressed with the calibre of the field that presented.

However, they chose to go with the internal appointment of Garlick, who spent his 11-year playing career studying to gain commercial experience.

"Simon and his team will build on the extremely solid foundation that has been created under the leadership of Cam Rose," Smorgon said.

After his retirement in 2004, Garlick spent five years in various management roles at LeasePlan Australia before joining the club's board of directors in 2007.

He was named as the football director before accepting the position of chief commercial officer in November 2009.

He will commence the role immediately, with Rose to formally cease his duties on December 17.

Rose announced his resignation last month.

Source http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/106012/default.aspx