A name well known to motor sport, a successful businessman, enthusiast and racer, and co-owner of Ford Performance Racing, Rusty French is set to add another role to his impressive list of achievements, this weekend becoming a Touring Car Master after purchasing the history-making ex-Almond Porsche 911 RS, and theres no doubt the experience and passion will be on show from the moment the #4 hits the track at Queensland Raceway for Round 4 of the popular series of muscle cars and classic exotics this weekend.
Confirming major sponsorship from his highly successful sand mining business, Skye Sands, the now black classic Porsche will add to Frenchs experience with the German marque which extends across generations and racing categories, as the 1983 Australian GT Champion explained,Ive done a lot of racing in Porsches, having started in the Australian GT Championship, and winning in my second year when the Porsches were at the top of their game, so it will effectively be like racing an older version of what Im used to.
I enjoy watching the series, and there are plans to further increase my involvement in the future. Things came about from discussions with Mark Buik, as his series competitor Michael Almond was looking to move into Carrera Cup. We decided that a swap would be a great opportunity for everyone, and be another opportunity where I could help support a talented young driver, so Michael will be running my car in Carrera Cup, and Im able to get back behind the wheel and race with the Touring Car Masters.
Having recently taken ownership of the Masters Porsche, French took to Sandown Raceway late last week to truly get a handle on the oldest, yet latest, of his exotic racing collection, completing 20 laps before returning to pit lane confident that the Buik Motorworks setup would suit him well.Apart from a fresh look, the only change to the Porsche has been the dogbox gearbox replaced by a gearbox as it would have raced back in the day, meaning that French will have to drive with a gentler style using the clutch, unlike the flatshifts possible for young Almond, but there is an air of confidence accompanying the enthusiasm, French saying,
Ive raced many cars, at many places, with many professionals and this is going to be another experience to get out there, have a bit of fun, and support a great series.Having done the testing laps, Im more confident to not be going into the race weekend blind, but Ill be looking to the Keenes, Sparks and ONeills as my benchmark as theyve been in the series Porsches for a long time.Im not expecting miracles, Im happy to just jump in and enjoy it all, while doing my best as always.I havent driven at Queensland Raceway since the NASCAR Power Tour days back in 2000, so the opening sessions will be all about track familiarisation, then well do our best in the racing.Touring Car Masters is quite clearly all about camaraderie, enjoying these stunning cars of the era, allowing the public to still see them on track at their best, and having a bit of fun, and I intend to do just that.
The Touring Car Masters is proudly supported by Shannons Insurance, Rare Spares, Unique Cars Magazine and the 2013 Australian Muscle Car Masters, with official suppliers Hoosier Tires and Australian Sports Marketing, and official technology partners Sandman Technical.
