WPS Racing looking to change its fortune
14/8/2004 15:17 (Press Release) -
Businessman Craig Gore’s WPS Racing team is looking for a turnaround in fortunes as it seeks to post its best result of the year in the eighth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Oran Park this weekend.
Drivers David Besnard and Mark Noske showed in the last round at Winton that WPS Racing has found the engine speed to make it a competitive unit in the remaining six races of the year.
Both drivers had their shot at top 10 finishes at Winton but misfortune struck to deny them year-high results.
Besnard said he was looking to turn around the disappointment of Winton and post a good result on one of his favourite tracks in the country.
“I’m not one who likes to use the word ‘luck’ because it is up to each driver to create their own opportunities,” said Besnard.
“What I would say is that if you are travelling up the front end of the field it is generally easier to create your own luck.
“That is what we are concentrating on – getting to the front end of the field and having a go.”
Besnard said Oran Park was one of his favourite tracks in Australia.
He had a podium finish in the corresponding round in the 2001 season and has fond memories of Oran Park from his days in go-karting and Formula Ford.
“Oran Park was a home track for me and I really do love driving there,” said Besnard.
“It is a track that rewards ballsy driving and I think it will give us the opportunity to show that we are continuing to improve.”
Fellow team driver Mark Noske was similarly optimistic about WPS Racing’s prospects at Oran Park.
“It is a track that I have gone well at in the past and with the improvements to our cars we will be looking to push into the top 10,” said Noske.
“We have had a bit of bad luck, particularly at Winton, and now it is up to us turn that around and produce a good result.
“I’m confident we can achieve that this weekend and it should then position us well going into the endurance events at Sandown and Bathurst.”
Noske and Besnard will be joined by Kiwi ace John McIntyre and ex-Formula One driver Alex Yoong when WPS Racing lines up for the endurance events in rounds nine and 10 over the next two months.
Final driver combinations are expected to be announced following the Oran Park round.
This weekend’s racing has special significance for WPS Racing.
Team sponsor Wright Patton Shakespeare Financial Group, a company owned and chaired by team owner Craig Gore, was founded in Sydney.
Wright Patton Shakespeare is in the early phase of a national expansion, but its core client base remains in Sydney’s western suburbs.
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