hero-img

Unique Bathurst prep for Penrite Racing

04 Oct 2019
Drivers and crew head north for team-building exercise
2 mins by James Pavey
Advertisement

Penrite Racing has headed to the Gold Coast for a team-building exercise as part of their preparations for the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Among the travelling party was the team’s regular drivers David Reynolds and Anton De Pasquale, PIRTEK Enduro Cup co-drivers Luke Youlden and Will Brown, with Paul Morris’ Norwell Motorplex providing bonding opportunities.

“The idea was to get all four of our drivers, plus some key crew members to work together and learn more about each other in a driving environment,” said Penrite Racing CEO Barry Ryan.

“We separated the guys into two teams with specific activities planned out that required teamwork, problem solving, listening, advising and generally taking responsibility and accountability like you would in a racing environment.

“But the key was we mixed the teams from cars #9 and #99, so everyone had the chance to learn from each other."

The group split into two teams of five, captained by De Pasquale and 2019 Super3 champion Broc Feeney.

De Pasquale was joined by Youlden, Ryan and car #9’s race engineer Alistair McVean and lead mechanic Brad Tremain; Feeney with Reynolds, Brown and car #99’s race engineer Mirko De Rosa and lead mechanic Brad Packham.

Advertisement

The teams were issued challenges by Morris and his staff, including practice sessions where engineers and mechanics took the driver’s seat and instructions from the drivers.

“It was a great experience, especially putting people out of their comfort zone,” De Pasquale said.

“The pressure was on in some of the challenges to really get people up to speed to learn off each other’s expertise, which was great and obviously with a bunch of competitive blokes on both sides, no one was going to give an inch.

“The challenges were really well thought out and stuff I have done before, but this time it wasn’t about the individual, it was about the team and no one wants to be the one to let the team down, just like in a racing environment.

"Obviously there was a lot of fun and some bragging rights on both sides too, so all in all it was a really cool thing to do and another way to prepare for the biggest race on the calendar.”

Ryan agreed it was a worthwhile trip: “Even though they are naturally competitive by nature, like any sport, we are always looking at ways to keep the teams fresh and motivated and this was a great way to combine work and some fun while learning something new.”

Penrite Racing will be out to repeat their Bathurst triumph of 2017 – when Reynolds and Youlden won the Peter Brock Trophy, before going close again last year.

Related News

Advertisement