Wainman brings a powerful British team

The lure of the world’s toughest stockcar event has seen legend Frankie Wainman line up for another shot at winning the coveted ENZED Dewtec Teams’ Champs title at the Robertson Prestige International Speedway in Palmerston North.

Until a few weeks ago there was no Great Britain team coming to New Zealand, but with a lot of interest from drivers and quality superstocks available, a team Wainman believes is capable of winning will line up on Saturday night.

Guy Parker, who along with Wainman, who has missed just one event the Great Britain team has entered, has been to every event and is team director.

For the first time the Great Britain team will have two Dutch drivers, brothers Jelle and Niels Tesselaar, and hard-charging World F1 Stockcar Champion Charlie Sworder. They join vastly experienced Wainman Jnr and his son Frankie Wainman Jnr Jnr, who has also raced at the Teams’ Champs previously.

‘‘We have had great support with topquality cars including Dave Riley who has bought a car and had another built for us,’’ Wainman said. ‘‘Dave (Riley) came out here to a teams’ champs and was blown away by it and decided to help us out with getting a couple of top-quality cars. Along with that we have had great support from New Zealand drivers.’’

Wainman said it took a lot of time sorting out a team that can withstand the ferocious style of teams’ racing. ‘‘It’s absolutely tough, it’s the most brutal of motorsport in the world. It’s not for everyone.’’

Wainman said New Zealand’s ENZED Dewtec Teams’ Champs had created a lot of interest in Great Britain and plenty of drivers were keen to come out and have a go. In the past a few of the quickest drivers in the United Kingdom had come out, but not all had handled the brutal style of teams’ racing.

‘‘We have some very quick drivers back home but when they get a hit that is the end of it for them, they don’t get back into the race; that isn’t what we need for the teams’ champs. We need drivers who, when you get fired up the wall – and you will – get straight back down and carry on with the race. I would rather have drivers who are quick, not necessarily the quickest, but drivers who can give a hit but more importantly can take a hit and move on. We have a very good team this year and I am confident we can give this title a shot.’’

Wainman said he thinks the New Zealand fans don’t quite realise how difficult it is for those coming to New Zealand with the expense, but just as importantly the time away from their jobs. ‘‘It takes a lot to put the deal together and Guy and the team have to do a lot of work. Though with us having cars out here now that takes a bit of the pressure off,’’ he said.

‘‘We definitely don’t have the time and will be going home to a lot of work, but really how could you miss out on this. I think I will keep coming back until I’m too old to be competitive.’’