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Engineering focus for 88 Racing as Tasman Series approaches
AN enhanced focus on engineering will help 88 Racing continue to work their way towards becoming regular S5000 contenders in this summer’s Tasman Series.
Having just confirmed 17-year-old Adelaide driver Blake Purdie as their first driver for the two event, seven-race series, the team has also signed new engineering talent to further bolster their resources behind the scenes.
The Melbourne-based squad will expand to a pair of cars for the Tasman Series, having already taken a race win away from established and title-winning race teams in Team BRM, Garry Rogers Motorsport and Tim Macrow Racing during the Gold Star season earlier this year.
“We’re going to have a strong two-car team for the S5000 Tasman Series which will set us up well for the 2022 S5000 Australian Drivers’ Championship,” team owner Albert Callegher explained.
“For the Tasman Series we have engaged the services of an experienced, respected Engineer and we’re grateful to add that talent pool to the team as we slowly grow our base.
“The lessons learnt over the last 12 months has serviced us well into fielding two competitive cars and allowing the drivers to do their thing.
“That is going to be quite exciting.”
As well as the expanded engineering base, teenager Purdie has been working with former Australian Formula 2 Champion and noted Formula 3 team owner Ian Richards to develop his open wheel skills.
As well as serving as the face of Australian F3 for years, Richards’ is one of only a handful of drivers to have won a national open wheel title in a car of his own construction.
With border closures stopping the 88 Racing team from attending Purdie’s test at The Bend Motorsport Park last Sunday, the team instead shipped the Nippy’s-backed car to Adelaide, Richards’ R-Tek outfit pairing with Purdie’s own family squad to look after the promising young talent for the day.
“It’s been great having Ian (Richards) around. He’s very experienced in F3 and open wheel cars and is very valuable to have on our side,” Purdie said.
88 Racing will test again later this week, this time at Winton Raceway, ahead of confirming their second Tasman Series driver.