Westley Barber

Jonny Apex · 4 Jun 2002, 18:49 (Ref:304682)

He's doing well, isn't he? Seven poles, seven victories, five fastest laps - two of them lap records.

Only Christian England has got remotely close over a race distance, at Oulton.

With a stable team environment and the right management around him, we're now seeing all the fizz Barber displayed on his way to the French Formula Renault Campus title in '98.

Unlike many others whose careers hit a rough patch he has refused to let it stop him. He's gone and done something about it. And to great effect. Not only that, but also extremely approachable.

Good lad.

Doubtless some can't bear to see him doing well and will come out with the usual sanctimonious claptrap, however.

Francesca · 4 Jun 2002, 19:30 (Ref:304718)

Yeah, it is really nice to see him doing well. Let's hope he goes on to do well in the next series he competes in too.

Rennen · 4 Jun 2002, 19:50 (Ref:304736)

WB certainly has the measure of his teammates alright. All things are relative! It's an easy year with no 'works' opposition to the Duckham's Van Diemen team for the first time in year's and many went F.Renault.

Before you get too carried away... just compare his qualifying lap times to the last two years Duckhams drivers times.

But then racing is only relative isn't it?

**bella** · 4 Jun 2002, 20:00 (Ref:304746)

i suppose rennen's got a point, take out a bunch of pointy-end competitive drivers from last year, and the same sort of domination might happen. however, it shouldn't take anything away from what the boy's done. winning that many races means you've got talent. you just have to learn how to show it consistently (hasn't he jumped around series a lot?).

Tallie · 4 Jun 2002, 20:11 (Ref:304764)

yeah. he's done campus, f3, and i think renault as well... lots of experience there compared to the rest of the ff drivers....

**bella** · 4 Jun 2002, 20:16 (Ref:304767)

so would it be unfair to put him on the same level as the rest anyway? so long as he can remember how to drive without wings, he's sorted.

Tallie · 4 Jun 2002, 20:39 (Ref:304781)

i think it is unfair to compare. He is a good driver... obviously, or he wouldnt b winning... but if im correct, he is in his 5th year of cars and most of the rest are in their first or second... but your right, he has sorted out changing from slicks and wings!!

Clyde Ankle · 5 Jun 2002, 08:28 (Ref:305055)

If Barber's winning it's because he's good. I don't understand this mentality which regards experience as being an unfair advantage.

Surely it is in the interest of the driver to be in a championship where he is going to do well, it's what the sponsors want and helps get support for the next season in a higher category.

**bella** · 5 Jun 2002, 12:25 (Ref:305228)

it's not an unfair advantage to have experience, it just makes comparisons that little bit more difficult and unfair to do. mind you, comparisons are always unfair, everyone's got different brains and mental approaches.

Jonny Apex · 5 Jun 2002, 12:44 (Ref:305247)

Quote:

Originally posted by Rennen
Before you get too carried away... just compare his qualifying lap times to the last two years Duckhams drivers times.

I don't think qualifying times year to year can be compared that much as track conditions can differ massively. Likewise fastest race laps - and, yes, I admit I brought up the fact he's set two lap records!

Look at other formulae such as Renault: even with the new diffuser and twin rear-wing this year they're sometimes not matching the pole times of 2001.

As for Barber's experience. Yes, he probably got quite a bit more than his rivals, but my point is that after dominating Campus he had a rough ride ith the La Filiere class B F3 team in France in '99 and only managed half a season in British F3 with Manor in 2000. Yes, it was with the best team, but things were still tough. He probably had too many distractions to concentrate properly on the job.

Now he's resurrected his career. A bit like Kirkaldy in Clios who spotted things weren't working out so did something about instead of whingeing. I think that takes courage as you're always going to be knocked by some for taking a step back. It looks like you're in it for easy pickings. However, sometimes you have to take a step back ... do you can then take two steps forward.

**bella** · 5 Jun 2002, 13:02 (Ref:305262)

he certainly made the right decision in terms of moving backwards. he was in a position where he had to re-establish himself, like jonny points out, and he's done it very well this year. plus it'll make it slightly easier to get sponsors for next year, he's actually proven himself properly at a level now.

Tallie · 5 Jun 2002, 16:43 (Ref:305420)

Quote:

Originally posted by Clyde Ankle
If Barber's winning it's because he's good. I don't understand this mentality which regards experience as being an unfair advantage.

Surely it is in the interest of the driver to be in a championship where he is going to do well, it's what the sponsors want and helps get support for the next season in a higher category.

Experience is an advantage. it isnt my mentality, its fact. your right, it is in the interest of the driver to be in a championship where he'll do well, so to move up... but, hasn't Barber already been there and not shown himself?

TVR · 5 Jun 2002, 19:59 (Ref:305600)

The boy is very good, fact. And he would beat any of the last 4 years works Van Diemen drivers,Courtney, Van der ende
Coranson, Long , Kane ,so give him Credit....

Tallie · 5 Jun 2002, 20:10 (Ref:305623)

yeah, he's fantastic in a ff... his results proove that! but he's gone the wrong way.. from f3 to ff! if im wrong here tell me, but isnt it normally the other way round?

my opinion is that you have quoted some very good drivers there and barber wouldnt beat them.

Andrew Kitson · 6 Jun 2002, 23:04 (Ref:306834)

Best thing Westley did was come back to dominate Zetec. He has age on his side afterall. A lot of factors contribute to his success, the best team and the best engine builder in FF history, Trevor Van Rooyen. Trevor builds his Scholar engine. He built the legendary 'patch' Minister engine of the late 70s early 80s that won so many races and festivals.

TVR · 7 Jun 2002, 17:11 (Ref:307578)

Westley is very good, even the outher teams in Zetec think so , the only people that dont are the bad loosers, and sgrog ?

edited for bad language

Ian-S · 8 Jun 2002, 01:13 (Ref:307847)

Quote:

Originally posted by Andrew Kitson
Best thing Westley did was come back to dominate Zetec. He has age on his side afterall. A lot of factors contribute to his success, the best team and the best engine builder in FF history, Trevor Van Rooyen. Trevor builds his Scholar engine. He built the legendary 'patch' Minister engine of the late 70s early 80s that won so many races and festivals.

Just hope Wes doesn't promise to buy him a Ferrari when he gets to Formula One like another driver did

Tazmanracer · 8 Jun 2002, 19:43 (Ref:308245)

Quote:

Originally posted by TVR
The boy is very good, fact. And he would beat any of the last 4 years works Van Diemen drivers,Courtney, Van der ende
Coranson, Long , Kane ,so give him Credit....

Ok, he's having a great year. But claiming he's quicker than previous VD works drivers?????

Surely proving yourself in one category is not the same as being able to move up and consistantly win races in any championship.

I'm not saying he's a bad driver, however, i'll be one of many who are waiting to see what happens with him next year, FF is unfortunately not as competitive as it has been in previous years, hopefully the co-ordinators/teams will be able to cut costs and make it into a competitive learning formula as it has been in the past

top-off · 8 Jun 2002, 21:24 (Ref:308329)

Well I have seen him race this year and he seems to be very good.
I hear he may just miss f3 and go into f3000 for 2 years ?

**bella** · 9 Jun 2002, 14:49 (Ref:308642)

depends, there's not much sponsorship money out there to be had, especially just from winning formula ford.

sgrok · 9 Jun 2002, 18:31 (Ref:308719)

Quote:

Originally posted by TVR
The boy is very good, fact. And he would beat any of the last 4 years works Van Diemen drivers,Courtney, Van der ende
Coranson, Long , Kane ,so give him Credit....

Gorannson? Long? ... Westley was 8th in the Formula Ford c'ship last year. Remind me where Long And Gorannson finished? Oh, and Joey Foster in the winter series 2001.

Kane won the juniors, and as for Courtney...? I might give you Van Der Ende though...

TVR, Westley is doing very well in this year's ff, there's no denying that. But I hardly think he'll be joining the motorsport hall of fame for winning in a small, average field of young drivers at the bottom end of professional single seaters.

edited for abusing another member

top-off · 9 Jun 2002, 19:39 (Ref:308802)

...Westley is the best this year small field or not.

edited for attacking another member

Tallie · 10 Jun 2002, 16:06 (Ref:309772)

woah... lots of editing guys... calm down! (although i do agree with sgrok)

Francesca · 10 Jun 2002, 16:11 (Ref:309773)

sorry about the editing but we want this place to remain a friendly discussion forum.

O'Schumacher · 11 Jun 2002, 20:21 (Ref:310974)

Experience or no experience, Barber has won seven out of seven. That's got to mean something hasn't it? And besides, if the only real comparison is with his team mates, then he's miles faster than Conway, Catt, and Heylen (who was overrated on this forum pre-season).

I'd reckon Barber is just as quick as his teammates from Haywood last year, Robert Bell, Alan van der Merwe, Clivio Piccione, and Ronnie Bremer.

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