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James Simpson Set for Long Awaited Return
James Simpson will make what he hopes is a proper return to the Trico Trans Am Series at Race Queensland next month.
Simpson was last seen in the series last year, with his campaign derailed at Symmons Plains in a violent crash with Ben Grice.
Although he was back on track for last year’s Queensland Raceway round, the cost of repairing the car around a new chassis from the United States sidelined him for a further 12 months.
“After that accident we sort of blew through the next year’s budget in repairing the car,” Simpson said.
“We did return for the QR round last year, but because we pretty much built the car in two weeks we had a few problems with it.
“I wouldn’t really count that as a return because we just had to putt around at the back and finish.
“Had a test day a couple of weeks ago and the car was perfect. Mentally I’m just keen to get back going in Trans Am, it’s been a long time.
“It’s my favourite looking car, the Dodge looks the toughest. When we ordered it was one of the first we could get and it’s the one I wanted so it’s sort of made to be.”
The 20-year-old has been logging plenty of seat time at the circuit in other cars.
“I’ve been in the old beast, the Excel, the last four or five rounds, so I’ve kept up some seat time and been up at the front of the pack,” he said.
“I’ve done way too many laps of QR, I’ve done a ridiculous number of laps between racing and driving for the V8 Experience Hot Laps. That’ll really help in making up for any lost ground with the late start this season.
“We want to go to QR and give it everything we’ve got, of course try to win but if we don’t have pace we can still have some fun.
“We’ll be a little bit behind on the development, being five rounds in but we’ll give it a good red hot crack.”
With luck, Simpson’s Trans Am return won’t be a one-off.
“I’m hoping to do the last two as well, particularly Adelaide that’s the main one I’m wanting to do so that’s the goal it’s just a matter of funding,” he said.
Round 5 of the Trico Trans Am Series takes place at EVENTelec Race Queensland on August 2-4 as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries. The event will feature live and free coverage on the Seven Network.