JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney and David Besnard hope to brush aside the modern day myth that the Bathurst 1000 can only be won by lead driver combinations, the pair warning fans not to write them off as they aim to take the next step to the top of the podium.

The Stone Brothers Racing duo head into next weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama as smokies, most experts believing the race is between teams that have paired their full time drivers together for the 1000km event.

SBR is one of the few teams that approach the race with the traditional driver and co-driver combinations, with Ross and Jimmy Stone placing great importance on finding the right co-drivers to partner their lead drivers in the two SBR BF Falcons.

Refusing to bow to the new wave, SBR has produced some strong results at the 6.213km circuit in recent years, two podiums in two years and five top five finishes since 2004.

Courtney and Besnard believe their results speak for themselves; the pair grabbed a nail-biting second place at last year’s event, with Besnard the only non-full time V8 Supercar driver on the podium.

They recently showed great speed to qualify third at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island four weeks ago, the pair finishing a credible sixth despite tyre wear problems throughout the day.

Grabbing the chance to get his eye in, Besnard is in New Zealand this weekend racing in round one of the NZV8 Series at Taupo.

The SP Tools Racing combination of Shane van Gisbergen and Jonathon Webb are also considered a rank outside chance, both drivers more than comfortable with the underdog tag.

There is a lot to like about the pair, with Van Gisbergen proving at Phillip Island that if the conditions are to his liking, anything is possible. The 19-year-old reeled in race leader Jamie Whincup hand-over-fist in the wet, only a difficult decision to chance it on wet tyres saw the pair slide back to tenth at the flag.

Webb is also showing signs of settling into his co-driver role, becoming more comfortable in the SP Tools Racing Falcon and relishing the dual responsibilities of racing in both the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series and the main race at Bathurst.

The Stone Brothers Racing team begins the trek to Mount Panorama this Sunday, with the SBR Race Transporter leaving their Yatala workshop in the early hours of the morning.

The team will travel to Bathurst on Tuesday, with set-up on Wednesday before the JELD-WEN Motorsport and SP Tools Racing Falcons take to the track for practice on Thursday. Qualifying and the top-ten shootout take place on Friday and Saturday before the 1000km race on Sunday.

James Courtney, #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport
“A lot of people don’t really rate Bezzy (David Besnard) and I as a chance but our past results speak for themselves. We’ve been on the podium the last two years. As long as you are in contention on the lead lap after that last stop, you can win it.

“Good strategy can keep you in the game; safety cars, weather, there are so many variables in the day.

“The whole day is not about outright speed, it only comes into play after the last stop.

“With the driver/co-driver set up we are both clear on what our role is – there’s no fighting for status within the team and we can focus on getting the job done.

“We don’t listen to all the talk; we know we are a chance and we will put our heads down and go hard.”

Shane van Gisbergen, #9, SP Tools Racing
“There is a lot of talk about SBR’s lead driver and co-driver combination. In some ways it does make it a little bit harder, getting another driver familiar with the car.

“But with Jonathon, he is in the SBR Fujitsu car during the year and the cars are very similar for that purpose.

“We also don’t mind being the underdog. It takes a bit of pressure off.

“We can go into the race, do our own thing and do the best we can do and hopefully sneak away with the result at the end.

“SBR had two very good cars at Phillip Island so that gives us a lot of confidence for Bathurst. We just need to stay clean and then go for it in the last 30 laps.

“It would probably be good for us if the race is wet; the car handles well in the wet and I do enjoy it. But you can’t hope and pray for it, you have to have the pace in the dry too.”

Jonathon Webb, #9, SP Tools Racing
“Our potential at Phillip Island was probably better than our end result but it was one of those races where you roll the dice and anything could have happened.

“We ran where we expected; we felt we belonged in the top ten, that’s what we were aiming for and will be again at Bathurst.

“There is an advantage in having two lead drivers together; they both know the cars well and are comfortable right away.

“But we are in that situation too; I have the advantage of driving SBR’s Fujitsu car all year and the cars are very similar.

“I also like racing in another category over the Bathurst weekend. You get plenty of miles and settle in really well.”

For further information on this release or to obtain high resolution images please contact:
Jenny Thompson, PR & Media Manager, Stone Brothers Racing
Tel: 07 3807 7717  Mob: 0412 844 644