888 announce 2004 endurance drivers

[fpv_gtho]

Team Betta Electrical Names This Seasons Endurance Drivers

Release Date: 19/05/2004

Head of Triple Eight Race Engineering – ‘Team Betta Electrical’ Roland Dane today announced the appointment of Frenchman Yvan Muller and Aussie Dean Canto as the team’s two endurance drivers for 2004.

The drivers will pair with Paul Radisich and Max Wilson to contest both the ‘Betta Electrical Sandown 500’ – September 10-12, as well as the ‘Bob Jane T-Marts Bathurst 1000’ to be conducted at Mt Panorama October 7-10.

“We are extremely pleased with our choice of drivers for the up-coming endurance events this season and particularly look forward to reintroducing the current 2003 BTCC Champion, Yvan Muller to the Australian V8 Supercar Series, especially given that he has been a Triple Eight Team Driver in Europe for more than six seasons” – said Dane.

“Yvan is an extremely accomplished driver and is again contesting the 2004 BTCC Championship in Britain driving for Triple Eight Race Engineering, currently holding second position in the championship behind team mate James Thompson, with the team retaining the lead in the manufacturers championship”.

“Muller has a string of achievements to his racing career, having won the 2003 BTCC Drivers Championship, and attaining his eighth win of the Andros Trophy ice racing – Chaonix 24 hour ice race.

“2002 saw him finish second in the British Touring Car Championship for Triple Eight Race Engineering, achieving five pole positions, four second placing’s and one third placing, and again winning the Andros Trophy ice racing – Chamonix 24 hour ice race.

This same year was Muller’s second visit to Mt Panorama in the Bathurst 1000 - his entry not completing the race.

“Dean Canto needs no introduction, having driven for the team in last years series” – said Dane.

“The team has retained his services for the endurance events this year and we expect him to do very well, we have given Dean some very valuable practice time in the car recently and he has performed to expectations, so we look forward to seeing him perform well in the endurance events”.

“We have not decided on driver pairings at this stage, however an announcement will be made as the events draw closer” – Dane concluded


BIOGRAPHY
Yvan Muller
Nationality: French
Born: 16th August 1969, Altkirch, France
Lives: Seppois Le Bas, France
Status: Single, one daughter, Nina
Championship: British Touring Car Championship
Team: Triple Eight Race Engineering
Racing history
2003
Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Champion
Andros Trophy ice racing – champion
Chamonix 24 hour ice race

2002
Green Flag MSA British Touring Car Championship – second place
Andros Trophy ice racing – champion
Chamonix 24 hour ice race
1000kms of Bathurst, Australia – DNF
5 x wins, 4x 2nd, 1x 3rd.

2001
AA.com British Touring Car Championship - 2nd
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion

2000
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship – 4th
3x wins, 1x 2nd, 3x 3rd’.

1999
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship - 6th
1x win, 1x 2nd, 3x 3rd.


1998
Auto Trader British Touring Car Championship - 7th
1x 2nd, 2x 3rd.
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion

1997
German Touring Car Championship - 7th (Audi)
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion (BMW)

1996
Italian Touring Car Championship - 4th (Audi)
Andros Trophy ice racing - Champion (BMW)

1995
French Touring Car Championship - Champion (BMW)
9x wins - 16 races
FIA Touring Car World Cup - 4th (BMW)

1994
French Touring Car Championship - 3rd (BMW)
FIA Touring car World Cup - 7th (BMW)

1993
FIA European Formula 3000 Championship

1992
British Formula 2 Championship - Champion
4x wins, 4x poles, 4x lap records

1990—91
French Formula 3 Championship

1989
French Formula 3 Championship - 3rd

1988
French Formula Renault Championship - 3rd

1987
Elf Winfield Racing School - 2nd

1980—86
Karting

[Falcon500]

Hmm intresting....while the frenchman seems qualified...it has often been proven that an import is not as good as local.....it was one of allan moffats short commings putting alot of faith in euro drivers...who did cut it but didnt quite get it....we have ex BTCC championship winners (paul radasich) we have ex f1 testers and cart stars (max wilson who was aout to take mark webbers spot but didnt have as much money mind you) and while they fit in it took them quite a while to cope...max wilson first season comming to mind....itll be interesting to hear of the pace he belts out while tsting....

[motorsportnerd]

Radisich was on the pace in his first year of V8 Supercars in 1999 with DJR. He also drove with several teams in the enduros through the nineties. I remember he shared the Glen Seton Falcon at Bathurst in 1994. Seton put it on pole, but Radisich matched his times despite not being a regular in the car. Radisich did know all the circuits already in 1999 having competed in Formula Pacific cars in Australia in the 1980s. So he had that advantage over Wilson.
Also, Max Wilson was quick in 2002, just made some silly errors such as attempting a quick flick turn like he would in a CART car when he spun, only to create a smoke cloud and be t-boned by Ambrose. There has never been in doubt about Wilson's speed or car control though.

[fpv_gtho]

Well also remember that Ambrose had a fairly solid F3 career and that got him the V8 Supercar title in his 3rd year, and he grabbed pole off Skaife in his first race so he got used to the machinery reasonably quickly, and remember he never got tested by Ross or Jimmy before they signed him up either.

I wouldnt be surprised to see Muller teamed with Radisich, i'd say that theyve got some common ground and they both come from similar touring car backgrounds so if they have pace on the day they should be something to look out for

[motorsportnerd]

I'd suggest that if Triple 888 want to win, they put the two full time V8 Supercar drivers (Radisich/Wilson) in the lead car. The drivers are evenly matched on pace (noticed how they're often together on the grid this year?), are roughly the same height, have intimate of the traits of V8 Supercar. Also, Radisich is hungry for Bathurst success. If he has any say, I assume he'll prefer to partner Wilson. Now Radisich/Wilson. That's a combo that would have to be one of the fastest, most closely matched and experienced combo in the field. Rates alongside Lowndes/Seton or Richards/Richards.
Also, note that this will be Muller's third Bathurst start. He also drove in 2000 when he share the second HRT Commodore with Jason Plato. Qualified 19th, finished 10th. I think he'd make a good backup in the second car alongside Canto. Stong top 5 possibily a Muller/Canto combo.
I'd rate Lowndes/Seton and Richards/Richards as favourites given appopriate car speed for the 1000 this year. Purely on the strength of the driving combos. Also, Skaife/Kelly, Murphy/Kelly and Jones/Bowe will be strong again. I'm not sure that splitting Ambrose and Ingall up is a good idea, though I guess they have such different driving styles they compromise each other too much.
I'm not sure what the DJR combos will be. How does Johnson/Brabham sound. That would be a strong all round combo.
Also, Tander/McConville would be strong if GRM puts their two regulars together.
And there are rumours of a Morris/Baird combo. Presumably, Baird will be released from team Kiwi for the enduros. And Morris/Baird "won" the 1997 Bathurst 1000 for Super-tourers in a BMW 320i, before being disqualified (due to Baird spending too much time in the car). So, they may want revenge.
Also a Jason Richards/Alex Yoong combo looks likely. That could be interesting, especially if the Tasman VY is up to speed and if Yoong gets enough track time in a V8 beforehand.
Finally, any rumours on who will drive the second HRT car (since Richards, Mezera and Longhurst all have drives with LPR this year).

[DasModell]

he;s a top driver . he will deliver if the car is good