PRESS ROOM

SBR’s Courtney and Besnard Focus on First at Bathurst

12 April 2008

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney will reunite with David Besnard in this year’s V8 Supercar endurance events, with both drivers firmly focused on going one better at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 in October.

Long-time mates Courtney and Besnard teamed up for the fist time last year at the Sandown 500 and the Bathurst 1000, the well-matched combination coming up trumps with a second at Mount Panorama.

Besnard, who drove with SBR from 2000 to 2002, is thrilled to be back with the three-time championship winning team.

“It’s great to continue the relationship with SBR and with James,” says Besnard.

“James and I are confident that we can get on the podium again at Bathurst but what we are really after is that top step.”

Besnard will have several opportunities to settle into the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon over the next few months.

“With the new rules allowing me to drive in the practice sessions at certain V8 Supercar rounds, I’ve got a really good opportunity to stay sharp and be on it in September.”

Courtney is just as pleased as Besnard with the continuation of the pairing.

“David and I had a really successful run last year, this year we think we can go one better,” says Courtney.

“The new format at Phillip Island is going to suit a pairing like ours. We are both good, hard racers and the emphasis on strategy is going to make Saturday very exciting.”

In the number-nine BF Ford Falcon, SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen will team up with SBR Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series driver Jonathon Webb.

Webb has one year under his belt with the Gold Coast-based team, finishing fourth in last year’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series and is enthusiastic about his new opportunity.

“It’s great to get the endurance drive with SBR this year after doing a year of the development series with the team.

“To keep it in-house and work with the same guys that I work with on the development car is a great advantage.

“The championship cars are very similar to mine in many ways so I feel right at home in the SP Tools Racing Falcon. The major difference is the sequential gear box and I have plenty of time to get used to that in the new rookie sessions,” concludes Webb.

Van Gisbergen, who could be considered a rookie himself with only one start in each of the endurance races to his name, is looking forward to driving with Webb.

“I think we will go well together. We are similar in height which is always a good start, and we are both keen to get some results.

Van Gisbergen says, “Last year Bathurst was a big step for me. It was only my third event in a V8 Supercar. This year I am really ready for it.”

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SBR’s Courtney and Besnard Focus on First at Bathurst

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