December 05, 2013

 

Epic Racing Team Manager Lee Davidson looks back at the unfulfilled potential of the team's 2013 season and what is in store as the team look ahead to 2014.

Putting it lightly, Epic Racing endured a miserable 2013 season.

Formed from the ashes of Epic Motorsports at the end of 2012, Team Manager Lee Davidson envisioned a bright new chapter in both his, and the teams's chequered history. He had secured entries in the revamped Formula Challenge, World Sport Series in which Lee was a driver and the World GT, lining up against some of the finest competitors in GPVWC. It was a true statement of intent, and optimism was high at the beginning of the year.

Winter testing in Formula Challenge proved successful with experienced racer Matt Webb leading the driver line up, partnered by rookie Andy Smith and backed up by reserve driver Louis Wedding. However once the season began, cracks soon appeared within the team, centered around poor performances, time zone issues and communication break downs. Lee is quick to take the blame squarely on his shoulders;

"It's something I should have considered before the start of the season, the time zone difference was monumental. Expecting Matt and Louis to drive on a weekday morning was just too much, as it would be for most working adults. I could, and should have managed it better, It' was an eye-opening lesson to learn, but one that will hopefully make me a stronger manager in the future."

World GT was Epic's saving grace with decent performances from Louis Wedding keeping the ambition alight. However the writing was on the wall come the summer period when all communication between the drivers and management came to an end. Epic Racing's year was done, instead of becoming a squad to keep an eye on for years to become, Epic became an instant flop. Again Lee says no-one was to blame but himself.

"I think the role of a manager is just as important as the driver. Like in most sports, it takes a team that work together in absolute unison for it to become successful. Look at Midnight and Storm, both teams have fantastic squads beyond the drivers. It was something I hoped Epic could replicate in 2013 but I failed, big time. The drivers were great, putting in their free time to the cause, my input just wasn't up to spec."

So with their turbulent debut behind them, what is next for Epic? Lee remains confident that the team could become a powerhouse within the GPVWC fraternity and that 2013 hasn't spelt the end for the squad. So far there is no official application for entry into 2014's Formula Challenge, something Lee is considering but not yet committing to;

"This season (2013), Formula Challenge saw so many great young teams form and run at a high standard so I can imagine the administration is already flooded with top applications. I'd like to think Epic could compete with them this season. However, taking last season on board, I'm not going to rush headstrong into any decision. There's plenty of other series within GPVWC that are peaking our interest, specifically the World GT which we enjoyed a nice run in last year. One thing is for sure though, we'll be focusing solely on one series this year in a bid to rebuild our reputation. If successful, then we'll start looking at expansion."

it's a mature step Lee has decided to take with the team. One that will again be looking to raise the team up from the ashed of it's previous year. We will only find out if the right one this time next year.