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Trans Am more driver dependent according to rookie Josh Webster
Following his debut at AWC Race Tasmania, Josh Webster has highlighted the fine line between going quick and preserving the car in National Trans Am Series as he adapts to the formula.
Making his debut on home turf provided Webster with confidence as he joined previous title winning squad Dream Racing Australia as he discovered the challenges provided by not only going quick, but maintaining the brakes and engine cooling.
“There is definitely more speed in the driver, Dream Racing Australia prepped a brilliant car, so for me it’s just all learning and build up to it bit by bit,” said Webster.
“It definitely comes down to driver, you can be the world’s quickest behind the wheel, but if you’re not kind on the gear it will end in retirement. As the saying goes to finish first, first you must finish.
“Being an apprentice mechanic you tend to learn how to be kind to the gear, know what the limitations are and respect it, so in that respect it’s good for a benchmark leading into Round 2 at Phillip Island.
“I’ve always been one to love challenges. It’s a big challenge, but it’s something I really want to work towards and take the next step.”
Webster completed many test sessions at both Symmons Plains and Baskerville, but it just doesn’t compare to race experience, with the former Hyundai Excel racer gaining plenty of knowledge at Round 1.
“I learnt heaps,” he said.
“There’s no substitute for race weekends really, you can do all the testing you want, but everything changes when it comes to an event.
“Qualifying was my first time on green tyres, so that was an eye opener and just doing 25-laps around Symmons Plains compared to the 10 I’m used to in the Excel, so it was also about adapting to that.”
Webster recovered from an early setback at AWC Race Tasmania to place inside the top 10 and enters Phillip Island seventh in the standings.
The National Trans Am Series continues at Phillip Island as part of the Shannons SpeedSeries on May 12-14.