Euan Cameron
Buoyed by his third podium finish during the opening five rounds of the New Zealand V8 Championship, Gold Coast driver David Besnard has wrapped up a massive weekend by securing further activity across the Tasman in the upcoming Toyota Racing Series this weekend.
An annual event, held this year at Invercargill’s Teretonga raceway, Besnard will drive a Toyota Racing Series ‘wings and slicks’ car alongside his NZV8s championship campaign.
After cutting his teeth in open-wheeled cars during the 1990’s Besnard’s most recent drive in an open-wheeler was behind the wheel of a Champ Car at the 2004 Lexmark Indy 300 on the Gold Coast in Australia. He finished in seventh place.
Following a business proposal with Hydraulink, Besnard was offered the opportunity to dual-drive at the premiere motorsport weekend.
Besnard will be part of a two-car team run by European Technique with fellow Australian Leanne Tander.
Hydraulink, with the additional support of GT Radials, Dominion Financial Group, Tracer Interiors & Construction and Timberworld are backing the one-off drive in the three race round, the final race being the NZ Grand Prix.
“Greg Bellingham, my NZ V8 team owner, has wanted to do the Toyota Series for quite a while now. Through what we’ve been able to achieve in the NZ V8’s this year it has instilled confidence in Greg that we can put it together and have a strong chance of doing well, †said Besnard.
Besnard will compete alongside Leanne Tander in a two-car assault and is delighted to be getting even more driving opportunities.
“The NZ Grand Prix is a pretty big deal, a one hour long race and as a rookie I’ll be given a couple of extra Practice sessions which should help with getting settled in the car from the outset, †Besnard said.
“It’s always been a part of the plan to win races over here in New Zealand and we’ve consistently been among the front-runners for the opening rounds of the NZ V8 Series. â€
“Unfortunately the third race on the weekend was very disappointing as we should have really come away with the champagne from the round. I’ve got no doubt we should have won it but got nailed from behind in the reverse grid race.
“After two strong finishes in the opening races, I was able to march through the pack in the reverse grid race. Before I was punted I held position over John McIntyre by at least eight or nine places which would have been good enough to take the round.
“The set up was far from our best but I took in my usual attacking style into the reverse grid and while we did secure third it was disappointing way to finish. â€
With two rounds remaining in the NZ V8 Championship Besnard is fourth in the standings on 668 points, 101 shy of leader John McIntyre.
The penultimate round of the championship will take place this weekend at the Teretonga raceway near Invercargill.
