From Peterson Media
With Bandit Racing’s regular pilot, Josh Williams, focusing on getting into the fire academy, car owner , Gary Williams, and team manager, Billy Muller, are pleased to announce that Lorne Wofford will pilot the new look No. 18w machine as the team competes with the ASCS Southwest Tour, and Colby Copeland will compete with the team in select multi-day events in California.
“I am excited to be able to work with two very talented drivers in 2016,” Muller said. “I have never worked with Lorne before, but he has beaten me on numerous occasions. We had the pleasure of racing with Colby a few times in 2015, and he impresses me every lap, so we are all excited for what 2016 has to offer.”
With driver change comes number change for Bandit Racing. Notably competing with Josh Williams’ No. 41w adorned on the wing over the years, the team will switch to the No. 18w in 2016 leaving the Williams’ number for him when he is able to return to racing.
The plan for the two drivers is simple. The team will go after the ASCS Southwest Championship with veteran driver, Lorne Wofford, who hails from New Mexico, and also have a tentative plan to head to Knoxville, IA in early August to test themselves during the Knoxville 360 Nationals.
Wofford has raced his way to numerous championships in 305ci ranks in the Southwest, and has had success with a 360ci power plant in limited starts. A chance to chase after the ASCS Southwest Championship is an opportunity Wofford has longed for.
“I got a chance to meet Gary Williams racing against him, and we became pretty good friends,” Wofford said. “At the end of the 2015 season I was able to grab a couple of wins and actually beat his car, and subsequently we got to talking about teaming up this off season. I am very excited for this opportunity as this team has great equipment and a great crew chief, and I am eager to go after the ASCS Southwest Championship.”
In late 2015, Bandit Racing competed on a few occasions with Roseville, CA driver, Colby Copeland and had instant success. With the hopes of putting together a full schedule in 2016 not coming to fruition, Bandit Racing and Copeland will still compete in the Golden State on a handful of occasions during multi-day shows kicking off at the Stockton Dirt Track March 18th and 19th.
“I am really happy, and thankful, we were able to put some races together in 2016,” said Colby Copeland. “Everyone at Bandit Racing is low key and it is truly a fun time racing with them, and we seem to race well together.”
Bandit Racing would like to thank King Racing Products, BR Motorsports, MVT, Diversified Machine, EKR Heating and Cooling, EMI, Wings Unlimited, Borello Racing Engines, and Schure Built Suspension for their support in 2016.