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Booth ready to crack a V8 SuperTourer win Thursday, 14 February 2013, 10:32 am Press Release: Woodstock Racing

Woodstock Racing
Media release
Re: Preview, 2013 BNT V8 SuperTourers, Round 1, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park, 15-17 February
13 February 2013

Booth ready to crack a V8 SuperTourer win
Top V8 SuperTourer driver Andy Booth is all set to crack his first race win during the 2013 season.

A big effort during the off-season added to the knowledge gained and natural pace of the Woodstock Racing Commodore during the inaugural season of V8 SuperTourer racing means Booth is confident the team is capable of winning races as the new seven-round BNT V8 SuperTourers series gets underway this weekend (16-17 February) at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park.

“I was gutted to have led so many laps in several races last season without turning that speed and performance into a race win,” says the Birkenhead, Auckland-based driver, a two-time New Zealand V8 touring car champion.

“The Woodstock Racing Commodore enjoyed some natural pace last year and now I have a better understanding of how to keep the car fast throughout a race. There was a huge learning curve for us and all the teams last season and the competition was seriously intense.

“Knowing that you turn up to each race with exactly the same opportunity to win as every other car, with us all in the same spec car, makes it hugely satisfying when you run at the front. Now the competition is only going to get stronger and we’re going to have to work really hard to keep at the front.”

The team’s preparation of the 7-litre V8 race car, which was built in the team’s Kumeu workshop to exactly the same specifications as the 20-plus other V8 SuperTourers, has gone to plan.

“Technically, there have been only minor refinements of some regulations. We started preparing the car just a week after the last race last November and with two highly-experienced race managers in crew chief Wayne Anderson and team manager Richard Field, we have a pretty good handle on getting the car working the way we want it now. Wayne and Richard are ably supported by technicians Craig Field and Mike Straessle, data technician Brendon Sheehan and tyre manager Erik Wood, who starts his 11th season with the team this weekend.”

With the entire technical resource of Woodstock Racing focused on Booth’s car this year and every one of last season’s sponsors – Woodstock Bourbon and Cola, Wynn’s, SG Fleet, Advanced Transaction Systems, Toptul, Precision Autowerk, McDonald & Co Accountants, Central Towing and New Balance – confirming their support for 2013 soon after the conclusion of racing in 2012, Booth is pleased to have had a stable platform from which to commence this season’s competition.

“I am particularly appreciative of our sponsors’ commitment to a longer term partnership with Woodstock Racing. Many of the companies involved enjoy the opportunity to host staff and clients at our events and with the organisers’ decision to consolidate virtually all our on-track activity to the Sunday of each race meeting, our sponsors can make the most of an action-packed day of racing. This Sunday the schedule for V8 SuperTourers is qualifying at 10am, a 15-lap race at 11:25am, a 20-lap race at 1:45pm and a final 30-lap race at 4pm. For those not at Hampton Downs, don’t forget to watch CRC Motorsport on TV3 from 3pm.”

Booth gets two hour-long practice sessions on Friday as part of the official pre-season shakedown and another hour’s practice on Saturday.

“We have seven rounds again – four sprint events at Hampton, Powerbuilt Raceway in Christchurch, Pukekohe and Taupo, followed by three endurance events at Hampton, Pukekohe and a South Island circuit to be confirmed.

“The whole Woodstock Racing team can’t wait for this weekend’s action at Hampton Downs and we love meeting fans and talking race cars, so if you’re at the track, make sure you come along and see us.”

Follow Woodstock Racing via Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/andyboothracing

They show Woodstock Racing driver Andy Booth and the refreshed black and red livery of the Woodstock Racing Commodore.

2013 V8 SuperTourers Provisional Calendar
Sprint Rounds
Round 1: 16/17 February, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park North Waikato
Round 2: 9/10 March, Powerbuilt Raceway, Christchurch
Round 3: 25/26 May, Pukekohe Park Raceway
Round 4: 1 September, “Father’s Day 400”, Taupo Motorsport Park
Endurance Rounds
Round 5: 19/20 October, “Ice Breaker”, Hampton Downs Motorsport Park
Round 6: 9/10 November, “South Island Spring Festival”, Venue TBC
Round 7: 6/7/8 December, “Pukekohe 500”, Pukekohe Park Raceway


ENDS

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