From WSS
20-year-old Strathalbyn speedster, Daniel Pestka, will hit the road for his rookie season of World Series Sprintcars in 2012/13.
Pestka’s name will be more than familiar for Speedway fans in South Australia, where the youngster has been thrilling crowds for the past 3 seasons with his pace and tenacity.
Despite his age and relative inexperience (Daniel will turn 21 during Speedweek), Pestka is already the fastest man around Speedway City over 25-laps, finished 2nd in the track championship in 2010/11 and registered a close 5th place in 11/12 despite missing the final round.
“It felt good to have some success at the end of last season and we qualified for the A Main at all of our WSS shows,” commented Pestka.
“My age and inexperience is definitely a bit of a disadvantage against those older and more experienced guys, but we learnt a lot over the 10 races that Craig Bennett [Steven Lines’ Crew Chief] was with us, and that will help us this season, too.”
Recent form for Pestka suggests he’ll be knocking on the door early in the season for a podium finish: Pestka not only qualified for the A Main in every WSS round he competed in last year, but finished as high as 5th on 2 occasions. Pestka also finished 3rd in the Murray Bridge 40-lap Marathon, was 11th at the Australian Sprintcar Championship in January, as well as a host of top 10 finishes in state-based rounds.
Given the similarities in age and competitive spirit, the softly spoken Pestka will be keen to emulate the success of James McFadden, a driver he defeated while the duo raced in Junior Dirt Kart Ranks.
“It’s really great to see that someone from that racing background like me can have so much success and do really well.”
“James was a bit older than me so moved up sooner, but I managed to beat him a few times.”
Despite his confidence and prodigious talent, the youngster will need to show he can match his local form and pace on unfamiliar circuits around the country, and the team will be called upon to cope with the increased workload of a full WSS season.
“It will be our first time outside of SA and Victoria, and a big part of wanting to do the whole WSS season was to get some experience racing at other tracks around Australia.”
“The shortened schedule really helps us in that respect, and means we can get to all the rounds with our crew.”
Pestka will enter the season well prepared for the grind of the series with new J&J cars sporting the familiar green and gold, powered by new Maxwill Racing Engines.
“We have new cars and engines and plenty of new shocks. We’re really happy with the gear and have a great relationship with Dave Cowan and Maxwill here in SA.
“Brad Lepe has been with me since I started out and will continue on as Crew Chief for the series, and Ivan Long will join us on fuel and tyres as well as a few other helpers along the way.”
When pressed, Daniel didn’t buy into the superstition associated with green in motorsport, but did admit there may be a little less green on the S27 this year.
“It may have been a little unlucky at the beginning of last year,” laughed Pestka. “I don’t really believe the superstitions and I don’t know where it came from, but there’s a little less green on the car this year.”
When the season begins on Boxing Day at Speedway City, Pestka will use his local knowledge to great advantage, attempting to get an early jump on the competition.
“As a team we want to not only get experience out of all of the other tracks around the country, but the aim is to qualify for every A Main and keep scoring points. When you keep scoring consistent points, there’s always a chance to be up there.”
Stay tuned to worldseriessprintcars.com.au for all of the latest news regarding the series, including the full roster of contracted drivers as they are announced.