Sandown Preview

OAMPS INSURANCE ENDURANCE CLASSIC - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 SANDOWN INTERNATIONAL MOTOR RACEWAY

TUESDAY, 8th SEPTEMBER 1998

BENINCA AND WALDON TEAM UP FOR SANDOWN

After spending the initial five rounds of the Century Batteries Australian GT Production Car Championship chasing Garry Waldon aboard his Dodge Viper, newly crowned GTP champ Domenic Beninca has signed Waldon for this week's OAMPS Insurance Endurance Classic at Sandown International Motor Raceway.

Waldon was forced out of this year's GTP championship after a dramatic crash in practice for the Mallala round, but will now swap the Dodge Viper GTS for Beninca's title winning Porsche 911 RSCS.

"Obviously Garry has tremendous experience in production car racing and we are delighted with the chance to get him aboard," Beninca said.

"Had things gone to plan for Garry, we probably would have spent the Sandown weekend trying to chase down his Dodge Viper, but now we have him on our team.

"This is a great opportunity for us. Now we have the GTP title under our belt, our next target is to take the endurance events and with Garry on board, I believe we have an excellent chance."

Waldon has already tested the Beninca machine, and now feels comfortable in the car after initial misgivings.

"Going from the Viper to the Porsche is like chalk and cheese, they are completely different motor cars," Waldon said.

"I initially didn't feel that comfortable in the car, but after a few laps, you really start to get the feel of it.

"I can't believe how well the car stops, it's braking potential is just fantastic and the overall pace of the car is very impressive.

"I know full well how competitive Dom is and I think we will make a great team at Sandown.

"Having just won the championship, he will be full of confidence and I can't wait to get back behind the wheel after a few weeks off."

The winner of last year's 3-Hour Bathurst Showroom Showdown at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, Waldon tested the Porsche on the Thursday prior to the Oran Park weekend and undertook further laps at the Century Batteries GTP drive day on the Monday after the title-closing weekend - acting as a high speed chauffeur for guests.

With race victories aboard the Ferrari F355 Challenge and Dodge Viper GTS, Waldon is now keen to add a victory aboard a Porsche 911 RCS to his resume.

Every competitor entered in the Sandown event will actually receive comprehensive on-track insurance for their GTP machine for raceday from the event sponsor, OAMPS Insurance Brokers.

The OAMPS group is an innovative provider of insurance and related services to Corporations, Associations, Industry Groups and individuals throughout Australia and internationally. The only Insurance Broker listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, OAMPS has been operating for over 20 years and has over $100 Million in assets.

OAMPS is a specialist insurer and focuses on the delivery of professional and personalised services to a 50,000 strong client base.

The Sandown event will be televised live by Network Ten, prior to the V8 Supercar Tickford 500.