Scud Racing has continued its ambitions program of expansion and development by adding several key members to its program, at Oran Park Raceway’s third round of the 2008 Kumho Tyres Australian Formula 3 Championship last weekend.

2007 Australian Formula 3 Champion Tim Macrow, experienced driver coach Rick Kemp and sports Psychologist Megan Sheppard all assisted the team throughout the weekend as the Melbourne-based outfit builds towards its goals.

Sheppard will assist the team in a long-term capacity, working with team drivers to adapt their attitude and approach to the mentally demanding job that is driving one of Australia’s fastest cars.

Macrow, who was part of the Scud Team en-route to his championship last year, was present for Friday practice to lend assistance to rookie driver Justin Tate, who is, incidentally, driving Macrow’s former F301 chassis.

It has all combined to give the team further tools to succeed despite a challenging weekend at Oran Park.

National Class driver Mathew Radisich had a brief weekend, practicing on Friday before being eliminated for the weekend in a second-session crash that occurred when a car spun and became stranded on the circuit.

With no-where to go, Radisich and several others cannoned into the stricken car. Radisich ended in the wall with a damaged corner and front wing and a decision to withdraw from the weekend.

16-year-old Justin Tate showed plenty of pace in his F3 National Class debut, qualifying third for race one and inside the class top six for the second race – despite missing nearly ten minutes of the session.

Tate was running in close company with the class leaders in race one when a car running directly in front of him lost control at the top of the notorious Oran Park dogleg, spearing off the circuit. With the car crashing in front of him, Tate had no option but to take avoiding action only to also end up buried in the sand trap and out of the race.

The team made the decision to withdraw the car from the second race due to damaged cause to the cars underfloor components.

Championship class driver Stuart Kostera continued to work on the development of the teams ex-Manor Motorsport F307 chassis, the combination beginning to gel as Kostera nipped at the heels of the leading group of cars.

Having qualified seventh for both races, Kostera raced strongly in the first heat to sit sixth before a spin stranded the car in the final corner and ended his race. Minor technical dramas dropped him from a battle with Mat Sofi in the second race to an eventual 10th-placed finish.

Team owner Bill Maddocks said that despite the difficulties surrounding the weekend he was pleased with all of the signs shown that point the way to the teams’ future.

”It is all looking very positive for Scud Racing as we continue to grow and develop the team to become a fully professional team that is capable of taking on and beating everyone each weekend,” he said.

”Megan Sheppard has been working with us for many years and it’s great to have her on board in an official capacity to work with our drivers to help develop their thinking process behind the driving. Having Tim (Macrow) and Rick (Kemp) up to help out is also great. Most sports – AFL, NRL, Basketball and athletics – all have coaches to assist the competitors. We are doing the same thing and its all part of the bigger plan to have a total package here at Scud Racing.

”As far as results go it was a tough weekend but we are very encouraged by the pace shown by Justin, as well as the ’07 car.

”Stuart is doing an exceptional job but its tough as the car has a rear suspension developed totally by Manor Motorsport in Europe – which makes setting the car up difficult. We’ll be in touch with them between now and Mallala to sort it further.

”The final piece of the puzzle so far has been the addition of Terry Stott as a full-time mechanic working at the team workshop and at the track. He is doing a brilliant job and has got, especially, the 301 car right up to speed.” He said.

Scud Racing will next be in action at Mallala Raceway, between May 16 – 18.

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