Former Australian Production Car champion Beric Lynton will return to this year’s APC series hoping his team’s hard work in the garage will see a significant improvement on track in 2018.
The 2016 champion will go into the new season behind the wheel of the BMW M3 at Sandown Raceway, as part of the second round of the Shannons Nationals.
While Lynton had initial problems with the car during it’s debut at the Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour last month, the focus will be on the improving the car during the series.
“We learnt a lot about the car at the recent Hi-Tec Oils Bathurst 6 Hour – we found some of its weaknesses and discovered that more development and reliability is required,” Lynton explained.
“The car shut down on (co-driver) Tim Leahey during the race after having done so in practice with myself at the wheel and we don’t know why.
“Then we were leading with 20 minutes to go and lost a wheel – the whole team was pretty gutted, but it is time to learn from it and move on and switch our focus to Sandown.
“As past champions, we get asked a lot as to whether reclaiming that is on our minds – this year it is not our primary focus as we want to develop the car, but if we do that job well, the success that should follow will bring us the championship.
“Not all of the tracks on the APC calendar will suit the car, but that is the challenge and the beauty of this series, and hopefully we can get some race wins and have a good time while getting the car where it needs to be.”
While Lynton will be riding solo due to Leahey’s unavailability for the first round at Sandown, he is hopeful for positive results during the four one-hour races in the new and improved car.
“Sandown is a horsepower track, so it will suit the BMWs and also the Holdens,” Lynton added.
“To walk away from Sandown with four wins would be good, but the car is still new and still being repaired after the Bathurst 6 Hour, as we wait on parts.
“I think it will be great to have a full grid for the APC at Sandown and I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.”
The first round of the Australian Production Car Series will take place during the during the Shannons Nationals second round at Sandown Raceway on 11-13 May.
