Konica Minolta Series Leader Claims He Can Beat Level One Teams
14/4/2004 22:53 (Press Release) -
Gulf Western Oil/Jayco Racing’s Matthew White believes his blistering early season form is totally attributed to the strength of his Melbourne based outfit. White, who is currently leading the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship, has produced outstanding results in the opening two rounds and is currently ahead of his bigger, more heavily financed competitors. All of them backed by level one operations that compete in the main V8 Supercar Series.
“The team has pulled together exceptionally well this year and with the car performing like it is, we’d like to think we are a winning combination of people and technology,” said White.
“ In reality, we are a small team but our results this year have proven we have the dedication and experience to take it right up to the level one teams. We have no where near the resources and budgets of these guys [level one operations], he added.
In the past, the level one or main series teams that have amortised their budgets and resources into the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series championship have been criticised, with opponents claiming the category must be used as a development and feeder class. A viewpoint not shared by White.
“ I have no problem with the bigger teams competing in the series. Most of the level one outfits are using it to develop and nurture junior drivers and that can only be a positive thing for our sport. I guess for the Gulf Western Oil/Jayco team, it’s a David versus Goliath type battle.”
White’s comments are just ahead of next weekend’s round 3 of the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship being held at Winton Motor Raceway, an hour south of Albury-Wodonga.
Traditionally, the Winton circuit is one that requires a solid technical set-up of the race car’s engineering.
Since the Clipsal 500, the team completed a two day test session at Winton, making some changes to the suspension and improvements to the brakes. This combination helped propel the Falcon to White’s fastest ever lap around the Winton circuit, further adding to his confidence.
In the second of the Matthew White Motorsport V8 Supercars, Dean Wanless has had a full rebuild on his #76 Wastecorp Falcon ahead of next weekends round.
“ Now that Dean has had some track experience, we have been able to develop the car more towards his driving style and abilities. He’s been pulling some great times in testing and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets a top 15 finish at Winton” concluded White.
Action gets underway for round three of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship at Winton Motor Raceway in Benalla Victoria, 17 and 18 of April.
Release Date: 09/04/2004
Matthew White Racing
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