Slade Predicts Pace Boost

A modest start to the V8 Supercars season has done nothing to shake Tim Slade’s conviction he has made the right move into the Supercheap Auto Holden Commodore in 2014.

Slade, 28, has claimed two top 10 qualifying positions and two top 10 finishes across the seven races conducted so far in 2014. He says better results will come as the significantly restructured Walkinshaw Racing operation gels.

The South Australian impressed with fifth in the Championship driving for Stone Brothers Racing in 2012 but endured a torrid 2013 after that team transformed into Erebus Motorsport. 

He has signed a multi-year year deal with Walkinshaw Racing to take over the Supercheap seat from veteran Russell Ingall. Importantly, he did so under no illusion it would take some time to get up to front-running pace.

“I didn’t expect to come here and win races straight away and I guess I had some options I could have gone to which were better and more proven results on paper from last year,” Slade told v8supercars.com.au.

“But it’s not just the team – that’s part of it – but it’s also me looking at my future long term and where I want to be.” 

The restructure at Walkinshaw Racing starts at the top where Adrian Burgess has replaced Steve Hallam, while Mat Nilsson has rejoined the operation as technical chief from Ford Performance Racing.

New engineers include Englishman Alex Somerset from Nissan, Blake Smith from Tekno Autosports and Terry Kerr from Tony D’Alberto Racing, who has joined with Walkinshaw veteran Bryce Seales to work with Slade. 

Along with the Supercheap car and the two Holden Racing Team Commodores for James Courtney and Garth Tander, Walkinshaw Racing has also expanded to run a fourth Holden for Nick Percat in 2014. 

“We know the cars don’t have the outright speed at the moment and we knew they weren’t going to have that from the start of the year,” Slade said. “But they have recruited some really good people in the off-season and it’s going to take a little bit of time for those new people to get their thoughts and ideas into action. 

“There is plenty in the pipeline at the moment and it’s just a case of getting everything into motion and getting some bits made up and testing them on the car.” 

Slade said a key ingredient for him in signing with Walkinshaw Racing was Burgess’ guarantee all four cars would be treated equally. In the past the Supercheap Auto car has been perceived by some as ‘second division’ compared to the HRT entries.

“I don’t feel that in any way and if I did think that I wouldn’t be there now,” Slade insisted. “That was one of the main things – or one of many things – I considered before making my decision.

“Adrian has stressed that (equality) from day one and he spends as much time in our garage as he does in the other garage. Also, Mat Nilsson runs our side of the garage … and it’s really good to have ‘Techo’ with all his knowledge and experience on our side of the garage to keep things running smoothly.” 

Slade takes confidence from the pace all four cars displayed at various points of the Clipsal 500, including Courtney’s Race Three win, while he qualified and finished sixth in his best performance of the year so far in the 250km mini-marathon.

Slade also worked forward throughout the Formula One Rolex Australian Grand Prix races, with a ninth place finish in the hectic final outing on Sunday leaving him looking forward to the Tyrepower Tasmania 400 at Symmons Plains.

“I can’t wait to get down to Tasmania, and I’m excited about the improvements we’ve made here in Melbourne. We’re moving in the right direction,” he enthused afterwards. 

Heading into the second round of the Championship, Slade is ninth on the points table, roughly where he has set his target for the year.

“Top 10 in the Championship is where we have to be this year,” he confirmed. “But whether we can get higher than that this year with where everything is at I am not so sure. In saying that I am confident with the people in the team that good things will come.”