SAE Racing signs Alex Yoong

ASTEM · 17 Jun 2003, 23:53 (Ref:635029)

David Searle, team owner of SAE Racing is excited to announce that 2002 Formula One and 2003 CART driver Alex Yoong has agreed to terms and will be driving the SAE BMW at this years Bathurst 24 Hour.

"When we decided to take on the Mountain this year we knew we needed two things, a reliable car and a top driving line-up. With this signing, combined with the rest of our
team I am confident we now have both and will be a force to be reckoned with."

The car, the 2002 Super Tourer Championship winner under Alan Gurr will undergo a complete mechanical and exterior refit for the event with renown BMW engine builder Ernst Schlaepfer also making the trip out to help preparation.

"The first goal is the class win, the second outright position and although we are some 5 litres down in engine size on some of the big boys, I am sure the legendary BMW reliability coupled with a great team will enable a possible podium place."

Alex is also looking forward to his first ever crack at the Mountain.

"I have always wanted to race at Bathurst since I was a little boy an I believe it is one of the greatest circuits in the world. So when the chance came up to race there I was immediately interested."

"When weighing up our options SAE seemed to be approaching the race with a professional attitude and BMW is always a good bet for an endurance event. I know we are not going to be the race favourites but I think we may well surprise a few people."

"Thanks to David Searle and Tom Misner for giving me the opportunity and I hope Alan, Luke and I can repay the faith with a good result."

Having seen the track only on television, Alex will be coming out to Australia for a test drive and will also take the opportunity to visit the mountain in July.

The team driver line up currently stands at Alex Yoong, Alan Gurr and Luke Searle with one further driver to be added.

The Bathurst 24 Hour will be running for the second time and is scheduled for the weekend of 21-23 November 2003.

RaceTime · 17 Jun 2003, 23:57 (Ref:635032)

What does SAE stand for?

**GTRMagic** · 17 Jun 2003, 23:59 (Ref:635033)

Sound & Audio Engineering.... www.sae.edu

ASTEM · 17 Jun 2003, 23:59 (Ref:635034)

SAE Stands For School Of Audio Enginnering, who have sponsored David Searles Super Touring team for the last 4 Years. http://www.sae.edu

RaceTime · 18 Jun 2003, 00:02 (Ref:635036)

Interesting - as I understanding SAE is a trademark name for the Society of Automotive Engineers which IMHO is bound to be confused with this - especially when you consider this is being used on a race car....

RaceTime · 18 Jun 2003, 00:03 (Ref:635037)

And now that you are here - any chance of finding out what is happening with ST's in Australia or are they officially a non-category now?

TheGspot · 18 Jun 2003, 00:04 (Ref:635038)

Well done David Searle, one out of the blue I would say. Must be exciting for all involved. Congratulations to all concerned. How about a word from Alex's australian representative to let us all know how it came together.

jetsetter · 18 Jun 2003, 00:14 (Ref:635043)

It's good to see another international coming out to have a crack at The Mountain although it's going to be interesting to see how Yoong adapts to the circuit.

ASTEM · 18 Jun 2003, 00:16 (Ref:635044)

The Super Tourers first race this year will be at Wakefield Park. There are new regulations in the process of being developed that have been embraced by team owners and drivers, it is hoped that we will be able to announce these sooner rather than later. The new regs adopt most of Super 2000 rules, however at this stage the engine capacity will remain at 2 litre, Sequential Gear Boxs will be allow, 18" rims and a areo pack.

As you are probally aware these all things take time. as soon as we have the regs approved we will release them in full.

RaceTime · 18 Jun 2003, 00:26 (Ref:635046)

Obviously the wrong thread for this but can we then expect to see more than the 6 cars that had entered for Wakefield by close of entries? (And these 6 had to be chased)

kmchow · 18 Jun 2003, 00:33 (Ref:635051)

Wow, Alex Yoong in a ST car! I never saw that one coming. At first I thought it was a joke.

But upon closer inspection, it seems legitimate. So will the SAE BMW carry KL sponsorship then???

Yeah, for the longest time, I also thought that the SAE BMW had something to do with the Society of Automotive Engineers. I guess I've been wrong all these years!

**GTRMagic** · 18 Jun 2003, 00:38 (Ref:635060)

The way I read the press release, that Alex was chosen by the team over other contenders, and that SAE has been a supporter of David Searle's team for a number of seasons, Alex Yoong appears to a paid driver in that team.

As he should be, as his presence in this team and this event sees this release all round the world, bringing the media spotlight on the team on an international basis.

There shouldnt be any doubt that Alex can drive the car.

Ross Cadell · 18 Jun 2003, 01:51 (Ref:635084)

Thanks G for the rap. Here's the story

When Alex came out for the Supercar test at the beginning of the year we had dinner with Cam McConville and they talked about tracks and especially Bathurst. Alex had always watched the 1000 on TV and remembered Brocky and so decided he would like to race there on day.

When the CART thing came up it kind ruined the chances of a 1000 drive but we kept working on a 24 Hour. The sad thing is the Coyne thing fell over just after most of the 1000 seats were sewn up. The placement became an issue because Alex, being ex F1 etc was on a hiding to nothing in any other catergory and even here in what appeared to be a 3rd or 4th fastest car was going to be expected to drag it to a win. The SAE team is making a huge effort on a car that probably wont set the great times but will run all day.

All the team and Alex hopes that this is enough to catch some of the big boys when they have breakages. The main thing is Alex loves race and he loves good circuits this will enable him to experience both.

TheGspot · 18 Jun 2003, 03:35 (Ref:635133)

Your welcome Ross,
this is a huge koooooooooooooooooooooooo for the team and a huge success for you personally. Just proves you can do anything from the Hunter Valley. WELL DONE

rdmdog · 18 Jun 2003, 06:27 (Ref:635177)

Please dont read this the wrong way as it is not meant to offend, Im just wondering how the Searle team will carry out pit stops and driving on the Saturday of the 24HR?

We have all heard of the teams religious beliefs precluding some of the members from competing on Saturdays, therefore David (and his brother?) were constantly starting from the back of the grid.

Morris 1100 · 18 Jun 2003, 06:45 (Ref:635191)

Is Alex religious?

I have noticed that he always starts from the back of the grid too.

RaceTime · 18 Jun 2003, 06:53 (Ref:635194)

Yeah but he actually comes out to play on Saturdays

pete55 · 18 Jun 2003, 06:55 (Ref:635196)

That's not funny Morris 1100.

Well it is but it shouldn't be.

rocket · 18 Jun 2003, 06:57 (Ref:635200)

i was wondering the same thing rdmdog, for a team that has always sat out the saturday events because of their religious beliefs its a complete about face, will they now be doing the same at all the race meetings?????

True Believer · 18 Jun 2003, 07:07 (Ref:635212)

Look what we have here, a bunch of religious bigots and intolerant smartar5es.... its getting so bad you cant even look in a thread around here without some hostile criticism creeping in. Disgusting. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves!!

Ross Cadell · 18 Jun 2003, 07:23 (Ref:635225)

Actually this is an interesting point that both I and a motoring journalist both asked. Luke Searle will not jump in the drivers seat before dusk on the Saturday but other than that the team is fully operational. It is merely a personal belief of a driver.

Remember the same team has run Alan in the car without sitting out Saturdays.

racer69 · 18 Jun 2003, 07:46 (Ref:635237)

Remember there are 3 or 4 drivers in each car, so it shouldn't cause a problem.

Any word on who the other drivers are?

RaceTime · 18 Jun 2003, 07:56 (Ref:635246)

Quote:

Originally posted by True Believer
Look what we have here, a bunch of religious bigots and intolerant smartar5es.... its getting so bad you cant even look in a thread around here without some hostile criticism creeping in. Disgusting. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves!!

Has nothing to do with bigotry or intolerence - merely a statement of facts.

And if you can't face those facts why bother even replying?

D.R.T. · 18 Jun 2003, 08:16 (Ref:635266)

This is just great news. I cant believe it, one of the greatest stories, it changed my day. I cant wait for the race.

Morris 1100 · 18 Jun 2003, 09:07 (Ref:635301)

Quote:

Originally posted by True Believer
Look what we have here, a bunch of religious bigots and intolerant smartar5es.... its getting so bad you cant even look in a thread around here without some hostile criticism creeping in. Disgusting. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves!!

What are you on about?
Was it something I said?

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