HRT enduro men named: Longhurst and Mezera reunited
30/5/2001 22:58 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
The Holden Racing Team has surprisingly opted for experience over youth in selecting their endurance pilots, today announcing veterans Tony Longhurst and Tomas Mezera will join Mark Skaife and Jason Bright in the team’s endurance squad.
Longhurst and Mezera, 43 and 42 respectively, won Bathurst together in 1988 aboard a Ford Sierra.
They’ll leave their respective under-funded Commodore campaigns behind to drive for the country’s premier V8 Supercar team at the Queensland 500 and Bathurst 1000.
"With Tony and Tomas, we have two drivers who have won at Bathurst, are currently in the category, Tony almost won at Mount Panorama last year and Tomas was part of HRT up until 1996 so is well used to the team and its people,” Team Manager Jeff Grech said.
Longhurst, who came agonisingly close to a second victory at Bathurst last year, was dumped by Ford’s Stone Brothers before the season. He joined the Holden stable with Rod Nash Racing for 2001.
Longhurst said he was, “very, very excited.”
"It's great to be going to Bathurst with the Holden Racing Team, regarded as the best team in the country right now. I don't think I could ever say I've gone to that event saying I'm driving with the 'best team' before,” he said.
"Holden has made me feel very welcome since the start of the year; the atmosphere is very different and very positive.
"There's lot's of positives with driving for HRT. I've had a good association with Skaifey for a long time and of course I'll be in the same team as Tomas with whom I won Bathurst in 1988.”
For Mezera, it will be somewhat of a homecoming. The Czech was an integral member of the factory Holden operation in its early years, last driving for the team in 1996.
"It's good to be back," Mezera said, "particularly at this stage of my career.”
"While things have changed at HRT from a marketing, technical and results point of view, lots of the same people are still there which is good as I feel part of the place.
“HRT has been the leading team for the last 4 years and the equipment is the best. You know that when you hop in, you can push yourself and the car and if you don't make a mistake, you have a very good chance of being up the front.
"For me personally, the last couple of years have been difficult ones but now I have the opportunity to do well.”
As for the likely pairings, Grech was coy.
"That depends on the state of the Shell Series Championship at that point,” he said. "If both Mark and Jason are close to or still leading the series, we will consider all our options at that time.”
|
|
