January 14, 2013
Published on tags: Formula Challenge
Epic Racing is pleased to finally announce it?s driver line up for the upcoming Formula Challenge Series. Andy Smith and Matt Webb
will be racing in ER?s colours for the team?s debut season in the
championship, a partnership that will surprise according to Team Manager
Lee Davidson;

?It?s fantastic that we have two drivers who are extremely
committed and talented individuals. I?m confident that they will both
surprise critics and rivals alike.?


Driving the number 22 entry, Englishman Andy Smith, known as Smudger, is a newcomer to the series,
having only raced in Sim Racing for two years. This will be his first
ever full sim season and one that Davidson hopes will reveal a true
talent. ?Andy is one for the future absolutely. Once he?s got his
feet in under the table, I really hope he can rise to the challenge and
compete at the sharp end of the grid. You get the sense he wishes to
grow with the team as we hopefully become more prominent in GPVWC in
later seasons.?


Andy had this to say;


?My name is Andy Smith, aka Smudger, and I was born in 1963. I
have spent most of my life in themilitary having served in many areas
of the world where conflict has threatened the fabric of society.I
currently live in Dubai with my wife and four year old son and have two
mature children who both work and live in the UK, I am of course a
mature rookie with a wealth of life experience but very little in sim
racing.

I am looking forward to startingthis season
especially as I am now driving for Epic Racing and have, as the team
does,strong aspirationsfor long term success. I know that Epic Racing
is committed to improve its standing within the GPVWC community and to
eventually compete with the top teams in the higher race series.Of
course I wish to be a part of that and am looking toa long and
successful association with Epic Racing.?



Andy will be partnered in the number 23 entry by Australian Sim Racer, Matt
Webb. Having previously driven for Epic Racing in the team?s previous guise on
the Live for Speed racing simulator, the team is already aware of his
speed and hunger for victory. Having recently been competing in various
F1-based rFactor Series, Lee is convinced that Matt can come out of the
blocks running. ?I?ve had the pleasure to know Webby for a number of
years, having raced with and against him, I know full well just what he
is capable of, and I?m glad to have his signature on our paperwork.?



Matt had this to say;


?Firstly, let me say I?m thrilled to be making my racing comeback
with Epic Racing, I?ve known Lee for quite a few years now and if I was
ever going to officially pick up the helmet again, I?m glad to be doing
it for a friend.


Obviously it?s been a while since I raced seriously, but I feel
the time is right and the hunger and ambition have returned to a point
where I?ll be able to contribute to the team. We are a young team with
much to learn, especially in the upcoming season, but what we lack in
experience we make up for in zest, and a drive to get the best possible
results.


GPVWC is one of the most competitive racing series in the world,
at any level, and it will take a lot of work to show any kind of worth
against the opposition we will face - but I wouldn?t be here if I didn?t
think I was up to the challenge. As the senior driver in the team, I
know that I have quite a task ahead of me in car development and setup
refinement, but it?s something I look forward to.


Having already sampled the car in a range of conditions, I?ve
been able to get a feel for what lays ahead, obviously being a single
make series means you have no excuses, you have the same hardware as
everyone else - but I think I?ve already made some progress and I have
some ideas about where to take our setup and development.


Finally, I guess it?s only fair to assess our goals for the
season. For myself, after a spell in the outer, I know it?s going to be
hard to step back in and be instantly competitive. Having said that,
experience tells me keeping your nose clean, particularly early in the
campaign, can often lead to some surprising results. So my goal will be
to bring the car home, each and every race, minimise the mistakes and
concentrate hard on getting the most points for the team as possible.


We?re here at the ground floor for Epic Racing, and the only way is up.?