BEN'S V8 BERTH

By Nathan Dole
Updated November 7 2012 - 12:09am, first published April 23 2009 - 11:27am

KYNETON’S Ben McCashney will mark a historic start in V8 Supercar racing at next weekend’s round on the Winton track.The 20-year-old will make his debut in the Fujitsu-backed V8 Supercar development series.A pool fitter and cleaner when not at the car racing track, McCashney is believed to be the first central Victorian in many years to race at such a high level in motor sport.“I had my first test in the Supercar earlier in the week at Winton,’’ McCashney said yesterday.“I was really nervous, but everything went well,’’ he said of reaching speeds of more than 200 kmh on the straights.“I drove about 50 laps on a track where I have had some success in previous years.’’The Terry Wyhoon-owned Image Racing Team is also aiming to race several more rounds in 2009.“A lot depends on the budget, it takes thousands of dollars to race, but, hopefully, I will be driving at Townsville, Sandown, Bathurst, and in a street race at Homebush in Sydney.’’McCashney will race in a BA Falcon prepared by Korumburra-based Image Racing, with the engines supplied by top-level V8 Supercar team, Stone Brothers Racing.“Racing a V8 was a goal from when I first started racing,’’ McCashney said.His first duel on the track was in go-karting when he was seven.An eight-year stint in go-karts included 10 state titles.McCashney achieved four track records racing a Mitsubish Mirage in Improved Production racing, followed by three round wins and four track records in Aussie Racing Cars. McCashney was fourth overall at the end of the seven-round Aussie Racing Cars series in 2008 after being runner-up the previous year.“It’s taken a lot of hard work, and great support from many people, to be where I am,’’ McCashney said of his racing pursuits.“To be racing against the likes of Craig Lowndes, Mark Winterbottom, Russell Ingall and many other V8 stars is the ultimate goal.’’For McCashney and his rivals the lead-up to each round is not just testing, practice and racing.“Motor racing is a great test of physical and mental toughness,’’ McCashney said.”I do at lot of fitness training, whether it be running, in the gym, or cross-training.’’McCashney said racing at this level would not be possible without sponsors.Long-term backers Playstation and Steel Blue Premium Industrial Footwear have played a major part in him being on the track.The team is also supported by Rockstar Energy Drink, P.J. Transport and Logistics, Vereks Bros Smash Repairs, Transcool, Tyquin Earthmoving, Splashaway Pool and Spa Shop, Rick Egan Building Services, Van Heusen Socks, and a consortium of business in Kyneton and district.McCashney’s V8 debut will be on May 1 to 3 at Winton.

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