A FIRST-NIGHT prang on the World Series Sprintcars trail hasn’t dented Jye O’Keeffe’s confidence.
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The Warrnambool driver is bullish of clinching a top 10 finish in the five-night series to mark a stunning return from a career-threatening back injury.
O’Keeffe – who failed to finish the first-night A-main at Murray Bridge after ploughing into the outer wall – said his self-belief was running hot despite the crash setback.
O’Keeffe’s crew repaired his car in time for the second night of racing at Murray Bridge on Wednesday.
“We’re just trying to get our name out there a little bit and we’re absolutely aiming for another top 10 finish,” the 26-year-old said.
“I’m trying to soak it up a bit and learn from the world’s best drivers. You learn a lot racing with these guys, you just try to take out what you can and move forward.”
While O’Keeffe is building for a strong end to the series at Premier Speedway on New Years’ Day, he said he wasn’t prioritising the meeting.
“We concentrate on every round equally because it’s a pretty tough points game in this series,” he said.
I’m trying to soak it up a bit and learn from the world’s best drivers. You learn a lot racing with these guys, you just try to take out what you can and move forward.
- Jye O'Keeffe
“We’re going well as far as form is concerned – we started second row in the feature on Tuesday night and it was just through an error that we couldn’t finish the race.
“We just want to be up there starting up the front.”
Reigning Grand Annual Sprintcar Classic champion and Warrnambool driver James McFadden finished fifth in the first night of World Series Sprintcars, while Jamie Veal was 14th.