hero-img

Reynolds’ new challenge

25 Feb 2016
“It’s like I’ve come to this foreign country and am trying to speak the language,” Reynolds says of getting acquainted with his new Commodore.
4 mins by James Pavey
Advertisement

Today’s test at Winton has reminded David Reynolds just how challenging it can be to to change teams and cars, as he comes to grips with his new Holden Commodore.

Reynolds spent the last four years at Prodrive Racing Australia (formerly Ford Performance Racing) and recorded all three of his race wins in Falcons. Two of those came in the FG X last year – the same car as the one that ultimately won the championship with teammate Mark Winterbottom behind the wheel.

Reynolds finished third in the title race behind Craig Lowndes in what was his best season in his V8 Supercars career.  

This year he shifts to Erebus Motorsport – which has switched to run Holdens this year – and believes it will take some time to get used to the new car, which was purchased from Walkinshaw Racing.

“It’s like I’ve come to this foreign country and am trying to speak the language,” Reynolds told v8supercars.com.au.   

“But it takes time, it’s a big challenge – six months later it might be a different story.”

It was like a step back in time for Reynolds jumping in his 2016 car – he drove a Walkinshaw Commodore for a season in 2009, and then as an enduro driver in 2010, before transitioning to Ford.

“It’s very, very, very different to what I’m used to,” Reynolds said midway through today’s test.

“When I drove out of pit lane and I put the throttle down, I thought … I’m back in an HRT car again. I haven’t been in one of these cars for five years and they don’t feel very different.”

Reynolds had a list of ergonomic changes he wants made inside the car, including the seat position and the seat itself. He described this process as going back to basics, as he and the newly formed team found the groove early on in the season.

“The power steering is a different ratio and I think even the steering wheel might be a different size,” Reynolds said, explaining the various differences drivers can experience when switching cars.

“The gear stick is not as positive as what I’m used to, the pedal setup is very different … the ratios are very different also.

“It’s going back to basics and trying to get everything set up for how you brake and how you roll onto the throttle, do your heel-toe braking – it’s just all very different."

Advertisement

Car setup was difficult to judge given the Winton track has recently been resurfaced.

“As far as the setup goes it’s hard to say because it’s a brand new track… so the car’s going to feel fundamentally very different to what I’m used to.

“Once we start to go to a few tracks I know, where the surface hasn’t changed in a few years, that’s when I’ll start to understand it a bit better.”

Reynolds’ car hasn’t suffered any mechanical issues today, which has allowed the team to push on with its program.

The 30-year old knows season start is going to be difficult, but was mindful of just how much is involved when reinventing a team the way Erebus has.

Not only has it switched from running Mercedes Benz AMG E63s to Holden Commodores, the team has moved from its Queensland base down to Melbourne during the off-season.

Both Reynolds and teammate Aaren Russell are new to the team – Russell is a rookie – and are working with new engineers in a team with a number of new staff members.

“Clipsal is only next week and I’ve just driven the car for the first time – it’s going to be a very, very big challenge,” Reynolds said. 

“As long as we get through the weekend unscathed – that’s our objective.

“They’ve just made the race team at the start of the year, there’s a lot of work to be done.

“It’s all good, we haven’t had any faults yet, no dramas, it’s all smooth sailing.”

Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport is also on-track today, after revealing its SP Tools sponsored Commodores this morning.

Related News

Advertisement