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April 12, 2016

 

The first press day of the season for Red Archer VRT took place yesterday evening at the Greek team's headquarters in Rethymno, Crete. Journalists from around the world could ask the team representatives anything about the season so far.

After a short but refreshing drink the press day started with journalists questioning Chief Designer, 61-year-old Englishman Robert Dean, former designer of National Aviation aerodynamics.

J - Mister Dean, you are working for the second season in row with Red Archer, the team is not doing the best results of its history, would you describe your work as successful and, if not, what do you think is the problem?

D - Beautiful question sir, I wish you could pose the question again without so much effect of rakomelo (Cretan traditional alcohol drink with raki and honey), alcohol should be served after the end of the day, not before.

J - You are avoiding the question, mister Dean.

D - I'm not avoiding, I simply expressed my wish that journalists will be sober enough when doing their jobs, imagine if I were doing my job while drunk.

J - Maybe you were indeed, still avoiding to answer.

D - Okay, when I came to Red Archer, I knew that the team is designed for being at the top, not even the middle of the table. The first season was not that bad, we had a win and couple podiums with Fran [Lopez], the car was good and competitive enough I believe. This season we have been victims of rules and chassis change. The major weapon for the team, Fran Lopez, could never feel well with the car and left, but the car is still looking good. I'm sure many teams would like to have the physics of this car, hence I could say that my work in this team is pretty successful.

After Robert Dean it was manager's Evangelidakis's turn to answer the questions.

J - Mister Nikos, have you realised that in the last 2 seasons your cars have already been driven by almost a dozen of drivers? What are you trying to do? Solve the employment problem of Europe?

E - Yes indeed, and I'm very proud of it.

J - This is not a joke, I'm sure the fans of the team don't like to see drivers coming and going and most of them giving nothing to the team in points.

E - The fans supported us in good days, will support now too and I'm sure they trust the team members enough to know that things will change soon.

J - Could you define 'soon' please ?

E - I am sure that the start of next month will find Red Archer with a good car and drivers that will go to the end of the season driving with thirst and passion for the best result.

J - Pretty confident, I'm not sure the rest of us can see such positive future but we will keep it.

The last one to represent Red Archer was the driver that scored for the team at Spain, Daniel Benefield, 19 years old from Australia.

J - Hello Daniel, could you please explain to us why you decided to join Red Archer ?

D- Simple enough, I was looking for a top category drive, they were looking for a driver and things went in a good way. The Manager seemed to believe in my skills and I had no reason to reject such an offer.

J - When you say skills you mean you are able enough to be the last finisher of every race like you did at Spain ?

D- There are some skills that managers' eyes can see while common people see only the results, keep looking at the results then.

J- Maybe Evangelidakis can't see those skills either since you are still on an emergency driver's contract, and who knows if you are going to get a new one next month.

D- I was not aware that journalists not able to read simple championship regulations were allowed to join the talk today. The drive at Spain was decided too late for me and the team, nearly 24 hours before the event, the emergency contract was the easy way for both sides. I'm sure a new one will come when this ends.

E- Thank you all for joining the first Red Archer press day of the season, it would be great to see you again soon!