Team GB to race again

The Brits are coming thanks to a helping hand from a Wanganui connection.

The Great Britain Superstock team was seriously in doubt of making it to the annual Enzed/ Dewtec Superstock Teams Championships in Palmerston North this weekend until Totalspan Wanganui stepped up to the plate.

The international event pits the cream of New Zealand's stockcar teams against the rest in an exciting two-night programme at the Robert Holden track in Palmerston North each year and the absence of the Brits would have seriously detracted from the excitment.

However, Totalspan Wanganui has struck a three-year sponsorship deal allowing the British Lions' team to compete.

The British team features six drivers and five cars, one of which was the superstock tank formerly driven by Totalspan Wanganui principal Mick Paul. It is this vehicle that is at the centre of the sponsorship deal.

Paul said he had sanctioned the deal to ensure the Enzed/Dewtech event lost none of its international glamour.

"The British will be one of the teams to beat and it would have been a shame if they couldn't make it. The superstock tank we have sponsored is my old machine," Paul said yesterday.

British team manager Guy Parker was delighted with the package that Totalspan Wanganui have offered and was hopeful Team GB could move further up the rostrum than their third place last year.

"Without the sponsorship of companies like Totalspan Wanganui the inclusion of the British Lions would not be possible - the costs would have been prohibitive. Totalspan is an iconic New Zealand brand and it is great to have them on board."

The six British drivers for this year's event are Frankie Wainman Junior and Mark Taylor who have been mainstays of the team over the past few seasons, Daniel Wainman, who raced last year, and the father and son duo of Murray and Ryan Harrison, both newcomers to the team along with the sixth driver Mark Woodhull.

Paul said the Harrisons had been out since early December getting some practice and getting used to the cars, with Ryan in particular showing some sterling performances and making many fans on the terraces with his no-nonsense style.

"Wainman Junior is already a legend in New Zealand, having been out here on numerous occasions, winning three World 240s Championships in the process and he will be piloting the tank at this year's event," Paul said.

Team GB did have a run last weekend with their new livery, including the Totalspan Tank, taking on the Auckland Allstars on their home track, with the British winning comfortably.

Paul said Team GB had drawn Wanganui first up in Friday evening's qualifying round. The Wanganui team includes Kerry Podjursky, Ian Brown, Dion Mooney, Scott Duncan and Kyle Heibner.