Seton's drought-busting decision to look after No. 1
11/12/2001 18:47 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Glenn Seton will be a lonely figure on next year’s V8 Supercar grid, but the solitude could be his savior.
In a last-ditch effort to haul himself out of a crippling form slump, the Supercar stalwart and his Ford Tickford Racing operation will revert to a one-car unit for next year’s championship, it was announced this afternoon.
It comes after the decision last month to release Steven Richards from his contract with the team after just a year of service.
This announcement, believed to have stemmed from financial cutbacks, is against the current trend of expansionism to capitalise on data sharing and limited testing opportunities.
But the dual-car environment has stifled the 1993 and 1997 Touring Car champion, his three-year assignment as Ford’s unofficial leader largely futile.
But Seton, who has gone more than four years without a round victory, says channeling the team’s efforts into one car will help him climb back into the winners’ circle – and capture a painfully elusive Bathurst crown.
“This is a decision that was not taken lightly,” 36-year-old Seton said in a prepared statement.
“We need to get our team back to the heights of 1993 and 1997 when I took the V8 title.
“Our sponsors are fully aware of the direction the team is heading and we feel it will put us truly back in a position to win races and challenge for the title.”
The team will become the best-equipped single-car garage in the paddock, with two race-ready AU Falcons (including the car Seton qualified on the front row at Bathurst), seven engines and a catalog of spares rivaling most two-car teams.
“The team will (also) have a fresh new look in 2002, a new paint scheme and other details will be announced after the New Year,” said Seton.
Seton said today’s announcement was made to allow the team and sponsors at least three months to prepare for their 2002 assault.
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