Tekno rebounding from tough start to 2017
Tekno Autosports Team Owner Jonathon Webb is hopeful the team has turned around its tough start to the season amid changes to key staff positions and a shift to a new facility.
Following the departure of longstanding engineer Dr Geoffrey Slater at the end of last year, the team took on experienced campaigner Campbell Little while also shifting to a brand-new facility in Stapylton, Queensland.
Webb says the four week break between the Winton and Darwin events has finally given the single car squad an opportunity to take stock of its season after a horror run that included retirements at the opening three championship rounds and Will Davison’s injury at the Tasmania SuperSprint.
“It’s what we needed. It’s not been a great start to the year and a bit chaotic with a major accident in the middle of it,” Webb told Supercars.com.
“But it’s good to have a couple of decent results coming into the break.
“Campbell and Will have worked together in the past and it took a bit of time to gel again at the start of the year and they’re getting on well and the last few rounds have showed our true potential again.
“Where we were renting before, we first moved in in 2010. At the time we though ‘how on earth are we going to fill this place?’.
“The Supercars stuff was strong then the road car stuff grew as well as the GT
“My family is into property, so between my Dad and brother we’ve spent the last 12-18 months building this facility and make it something we could settle into and have a future for the next 15-20 years.”
Webb praised Davison after the 34-year-old overcame his early season injury and bounced back at Winton to secure two top-10 finishes.
“He’s a fit guy who trains hard to do his job. But it shows the strength of the car; how safe they are and protect the driver,” he added.
“He got a little bit knocked around but bounced back well. It’s certainly something in the past now for all of us.
“Motorsport is tough game and we’ve all been around long enough to know it has more lows than highs.
“Unfortunately we had a lot of lows in one run. We’ve stayed focused and everyone has kept their eye on the prize.”
Meanwhile, Webb is no certainty to drive at the team’s upcoming test day at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday.
The Sydney-born driver has been recovering from an illness and has not driven a Supercar since last year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup after not taking part in the additional drivers session at the Winton SuperSprint.
Webb will travel to the Ipswich track but is not fussed on whether he gets behind the wheel or not.
“I’ll go up and take my gear. If it works, I might have a go,” he said.
“But if the boys are focusing on what they need to do with Will and there’s no opportunity for me, I’ll wait for the next one.
“I was reasonably fortunate last year I could blow the cobwebs out easily. Hopefully it’s the same this year.
“We always try to give ourselves – and before I was a co-driver – give them at least one test day before Sandown for the first time.
“Worst comes to worst, I’ll jump in the car next time we test and spend the whole day in the car and make sure I’m ready for Sandown.”
