Besnard Plays Catch Up In New Zealand
1/5/2004 6:16 (Press Release) -
David Besnard was forced to play catch up with the field after an embarrassing start to round three of the V8 Supercar Championship Series today. Besnard, driving the WPS Racing BA Falcon, had to sit out the first practice session at Pukekohe Raceway in New Zealand after leaving his racing helmet in his hotel room in Auckland.
The oversight cost Besnard heavily, with a furious WPS Racing team owner Craig Gore fining him $10,000.
“It was an unfortunate start to the round and it was disappointing for the team,” said Gore.
“We have provision in our contracts to impose penalties like these and that is precisely what we have done.
“Let’s just hope he has learned from it.”
Besnard made it to the track in the second practice session where he finished in 20th position.
Team engineers and technicians were placed under immense pressure and it seems like Besnarnd, ho later finished 26th in qualifying, will only get a chance to make up for the incident during weekend racing.
“It was just one of those things but I’m determined to make up for it this weekend.
“I’ve already put it in the back of my mind and I’m focused on building on my solid start to the season.”
Besnard is sitting in 13th place on the championship table after the first two rounds of the championship.
The strong performance of WPS Racing has caught many in the championship by surprise. The team was assembled just weeks ahead of the first round but it has already demonstrated that its first car is on the pace.
Meanwhile, WPS Racing is still working towards fielding a second car in the championship series.
The car will be driven by the talented Mark Noske pending finalization of negotiations over the purchase of a second license.
Gore said he anticipated an announcement on the second license would be made within days.
Release Date: 30/04/2004
WPS Racing
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