After a hugely successful weekend at Mount Panorama, with great racing, a very happy paddock, fantastic response from the public at the circuit and via the media, plus a further multi year commitment from the title sponsor of the event Liqui Moly agreed and announced too the DSC Ed grabbed the man in charge of the event, Yeehah Events’ James O’ Brien to look back and to look forward.
So James, how did you think the race weekend went?
“I was absolutely delighted with the grid, the calibre of the teams, the cars and, of course the drivers we attracted this year. We had a truly international field and that in itself was another big step forward for the event
“Better still we got a great race too, we had plenty of cars on the lead lap right to the end and what a finish!
“We had a great response from officials too, huge backing for what we are trying to do here from the volunteer officials, you saw how committed they are with their efforts to get us back to green repeatedly.
“Corporate hospitality was sold out here at the track, the media response was great too, TV looks as if it went down well and we have already seen the social media numbers which were phenomenal.
“Almost better than all of that though it seems like everyone here has really enjoyed the event, the teams, drivers and the punters.”
So what’s on your todo list ahead of the 2016 race?
“I’d like to push for even more international drivers. There is clearly the opportunity to achieve that.
“I think we’re also at a point where we can review the outright class. Is there space for a full Pro class or do we stay with Pro-Am and Amateur.
“With that in mind too I think perhaps we need to tighten up the driver classification system a little bit as well
“Other than that it’s just a matter of keep growing the event!”
Being constructively critical after what was an excellent event, the one thing that does come out is that there were an awful lot of safety cars, that’s perhaps inevitable with the circuit we have at Mount Panorama. There are though other potential solutions over handling caution situations. What do you think?
“From a racing purists point of view then yes it needs to be looked at, there were a lot.
“But I have to say from a race promoters view I’m entirely happy. I don’t mind that many, it makes for exciting racing on a restart, particularly on this circuit.
“Beyond that remember too that it isn’t in my domain to change those rules. It’s the regulatory body. But as I said before from the point of view of producing entertaining racing I wouldn’t in any case be putting them under any pressure to change even if I had that sort of influence.
You have made this event a success in a relatively short time. Are you just going to stick with one event?
“That’s an interesting question!
“We have a good relationship with Stephane Ratel, I’ve known him for years, we use their Balance of Performance data and will continue to do so.
“We have been talking for a little while now about replicating the success of the (Blancpain) Endurance Series throughout Asia Pacific. That possibility now exists. SRO are now promoting the Sepang 12 hours and the date for that race has moved to December.
“If we can find the right place for a third event to start us off down here then it could be the start of something, a co-operative venture between the two organisations. There’s no firm plan yet but it does seem to be the most sensible progression from where we currently stand.”
