Luke Youlden and David Besnard will join Stone Brothers Racing in this year’s V8 Supercar endurance races at the Sandown 500 and the Bathurst 1000.
Luke Youlden will pair up with Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall for the third year running, continuing the established partnership that took them to fourth place in last year’s great race.
David Besnard will be welcomed back to SBR after a five year absence to join James Courtney in the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon. Besnard drove for the team in 2001 and 2002, winning the Queensland 500 with Simon Wills in 2002.
Besnard and Youlden have completed two test days with the three-time championship team already, ensuring that both co-drivers get plenty of laps under their belts in the SBR Falcons.
Youlden considers his third call up to the three-time Championship team a big achievement.
“I said last year that it was a feather in my cap to be asked back for a second endurance drive with SBR and Russell. To be asked back a third time is great; I’m really happy to be back again, ” said Youlden.
“Russell and I are becoming a pretty stable pairing, we know what the other is up to and we like the car pretty much the same.
“There is a real burn to improve on last year; to miss a podium at Bathurst by a few inches was pretty heart wrenching. We really want to get on that top step. ”
Youlden’s sentiments are echoed by Ingall.
“There is definitely a benefit to driving with the same co-driver year after year. Luke took some big steps in last year’s endurance races and we really got things right with the car so that we were both comfortable, ” said Ingall.
“We have had Luke in the Caltex Racing Falcon a couple of times already to give him a good preparation for Sandown and Bathurst and all indicators point to even further improvements this year. We’ve got a pretty good shot, we just need to grab the opportunity. ”
As for Besnard, he couldn’t be happier to be back in a competitive V8 Supercar team.
“It’s awesome to be back at SBR again. I know more than half the guys from when I raced here in 2001 and 2002 so already having those relationships is a real plus, ” said Besnard.
“To be back in a top level team is great too. It’s been frustrating in recent times; I don’t race just for the hell of it, I race because I want to win and do the best I can and I haven’t had that opportunity in the last couple of years.
“With SBR and with James, I think we have the potential to do really well. We gel really well in lots of ways; I fit straight into the car as James has it and we have similar personalities and we back each other up with feedback. It couldn’t be better. ”
Courtney is comfortable to be paired with Besnard, who he has known for about 20 years.
“I’ve known David since I was seven through karting. He was always in the class above me and we would hang out together and I would stay at his place over the summer so we know each other pretty well, ” said Courtney.
“After a couple of tests, things are progressing well as an endurance combination; we both want the same things from the car and he is happy with the position in the car. His speed is really good too so it’s all looking okay.
“Getting on the podium at Bathurst last year was great but this year we are looking for more. We are two young guys eager to win; hopefully we will be the surprise package. ”
SBR co-owner and Team Manger Ross Stone believes that he has two very strong driver combinations on his hands this year.
“Getting David back for a drive at SBR has always been on the cards. Jimmy and I always felt that there was some unfinished business there. We really like David and think that he has a lot to offer as a driver.
“It’s a bonus that James and David know each other so well; it’s clear already that they will work well together. ”
Stone continued, “Having Luke back for a third endurance campaign with Russell says it all really. We saw a big improvement in Luke at Sandown and Bathurst last year and I think the two of them have a big chance this year. They are a very strong combination. ”
The Sandown 500 takes place on 14-16 September 2007 at Sandown International Motor Raceway in Victoria. The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 runs from 4-7 October 2007 at the famous Mount Panorama circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales.
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