Joey parts company with Motaworld
26.08.2004 by AltoSport
Joey has decided to part company with Motaworld Racing with four races of the season remaining. "We started the season with a podium and a fifth place at Thruxton, and left after that meeting feeling disappointed" said Joey last night. "It was the right attitude, but in truth since then the season has rolled downhill. Since the summer break when we just haven't been able to get the car anywhere near the pace"
After the troubles at Croft and the disaster at Knockhill Joey went to Brands knowing that he could still salvage his season with a couple of good performances. "I was mentally and physically better prepared than I had been all season, totally focused. As soon as I got the car on to the track it was obvious that the lingering faults were still there, and that is a devastating situation on a circuit where the times are so close. We had very poor straight line speed and a brake problem, which were supposed to have been sorted out, and I finished 21st in testing as a result"
"Kevin, my engineer, worked really hard to try to remedy things, but it was clear that we had a fundamental problem with the car. I finished 19th in both qualifying sessions, which if it had been a case that I had made mistakes and the true pace of the car was better, I could have accepted. In reality though, that was as good as I could make it, so the decision was made overnight to withdraw not just from the meeting, but from the team and series"
This was a hard choice for Joey to make, but he firmly believes that it would have been unsafe to race with no improvement likely in the handling of the car. "There comes a point when you feel that you are banging your head against a brick wall if improvements are not being made. I'm here to challenge for race wins and titles, not to go round at the back of the midfield"
Joey is now considering the options available to him and concentrating on finding the right seat for 2005, although it is likely he will be racing again before the end of the season. "I need to go out and prove that my true position is at the sharp end of the grid. I am sad that those who follow me have not seen a better year, but I am also very pleased that I have had so many calls from people in the business who have backed my decision and remain confident that I will soon be back winning races. My thanks to them all, you will not be disappointed!"