Cat Racing adds Alan Draper to Engine Building Team

CAT RACING

V8 SUPERCAR - SHELL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES ISSUED: MONDAY, 19th JULY 1999

CAT RACING ADDS DRAPER TO PAE ENGINE BUILDING TEAM

Cat Racing is set to boost its own in-house engine program and has secured renowned engine expert Alan Draper work on the exciting development division.

Draper has begun work at Steve Renshaw's Precision Auto Engineering in Perth to help develop engines for the #600 Cat Racing Falcon driven by John Bowe.

The New Zealand born Draper previously spent 12 years with Dick Johnson Racing, virtually mirroring John Bowe's tenure at the Queensland team.

The new engine program will replace the team's previous arrangement where the initial build process was handled by an outside supplier.

"We are very pleased to secure a man of Alan's experience, and combined with Steve Renshaw's outstanding workmanship and facilities, we have the basis of an excellent program," Cat Racing Executive Director, Kevin Otway said.

"Steve has really pulled us out of the fire on a number of occasions this year and the recruitment of Alan to work in conjunction at PAE is another important piece of the puzzle we have put in place."

After years of working with Draper at DJR, Bowe is excited about the new recruit.

"I have won a lot of races with engines built by Alan and I'm thrilled that he has decided to join us," Bowe said.

"All the major touring car teams have an extensive in-house engine program and if we want to compete at this level, we have to do the same.

"The results are not going to happen overnight, but it is important to be in charge of your own destiny when it comes to horsepower. Steve and Paul Mitchell have put in hundreds of hours on engines for us this year, and Ala n will make an ideal addition to the PAE team"

Draper has moved to Perth to commence work with the Caterpillar team. Precision Auto Engineering enjoys a strong reputation for engine building in WA and Renshaw is delighted that the Cat team has added Draper to his team of experts.

"Alan's experience will really add to our business and we are looking forward to working together on keeping Cat Racing at the sharp end of the field," Renshaw said.

"We already have all the infrastructure in place and a dedicated team to handle the entire engine building process."

Paul Ryan