Two Macs graduate from WPS Racing boot camp
10/9/2004 12:43 (Press Release) -
Champion New Zealand driver John McIntyre and reigning Australian Formula Ford champion Neil McFadyen have graduated from an intensive ‘boot camp’ designed to introduce them to the professionalism of businessman Craig Gore’s WPS Racing outfit.
The two drivers have spent the past two weeks in camp on the Gold Coast with WPS Racing’s headline drivers David Besnard and Alex Yoong as they prepare for the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 endurance race this weekend.
The four have been training together, studying past races together and eating together for the past 10 days to ensure they arrive at Sandown as a united and well prepared team.
For Yoong, McIntyre and McFadyen the experience has been even more intense, with the three sharing a Gold Coast apartment since their arrival on the Gold Coast last month.
“It has been an excellent experience throwing us all together like this,” said McIntyre.
“To build any team you have to spend time with each other and we have certainly been doing that since each of us arrived.
“We are all learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses and that helps us work together to improve.
“I have been racing for a long time now and I think the style of boot camp we have been through is pretty unique in this sport.
“I have definitely never experienced this level of preparation ahead of a race and I believe we have already eliminated a lot of the risk by being fit and focused.”
McIntyre, who drove in his only V8 Supercar race two years ago this weekend in the then Queensland 500 at Ipswich, will join Yoong in WPS Racing’s Car 48 Ford Falcon.
He has had three test sessions this year with WPS Racing, which is sponsored by team owner Craig Gore’s Wright Patton Shakespeare Financial Group.
McFadyen, who drove his only V8 Supercar race in July this year when he competed in the Queensland 300 at Ipswich, will join Besnard in WPS Racing’s Car 23 Ford Falcon.
He is yet to drive with WPS Racing but has had the recent outing in a V8 Supercar.
“This is my first drive in a Ford in V8s, it’s my first drive with WPS Racing and it’s my first co-drive in an endurance race,” said McFadyen.
“Getting in the car without previously driving it isn’t the ideal preparation but we have made up for that with all of the training and studying we have been doing.
“We have been flat out in our preparation for the race and I should learn a lot from racing with Besnard.
“I’m ready physically and mentally and now I just have to focus on getting to know the car in practice and then driving fast and safe in the race.
“The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind for me but it been a great experience.”
The last time McFadyen competed at Sandown was last year when he wrapped up the Formula Ford championship.
“I know the track quite well and I have good memories from competing there, so everything is looking positive for this weekend,” he said.
Both McFadyen and McIntyre will drive at Sandown and then the following endurance race at Bathurst next month.
McFadyen is also in line for a third drive with WPS Racing as lead driver David Besnard is seeking a one-off drive in a Champ Car in the Lexmark Indy 300 on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
If Besnard earns the Champ Car drive, McFadyen is expected to replace him in the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge on the same weekend.
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