Penrite Racing not rushing enduro combinations

Penrite Racing is set to wait until star recruit Kevin Estre’s first Supercar laps before locking in its enduro combinations.

The Ford team will enter the enduro season with two world-class recruits, having signed Garth Tander and international ace Estre.

Tander shifted from Red Bull Ampol Racing, where he won the Great Race twice with Shane van Gisbergen.

Frenchman Estre, meanwhile, will make his Supercars debut with Penrite Racing.

Despite Tander being announced in December 2022, and Estre in March this year, the team hasn’t confirmed who will partner David Reynolds and Matt Payne respectively.

Estre’s signing was yet another major coup for the Grove squad, which has already made a splash with international stars.

Fellow Porsche ace Matt Campbell raced for the Braeside squad in 2021 and 2022, but won’t return in 2023 due to clashes with his IMSA program.

Estre is racing for Porsche Penske Motorsport in the World Endurance Championship alongside German Andre Lotterer and Belgian Laurens Vanthoor.

The 2023 WEC season is five rounds down with two to go, with the next round — the 6 Hours of Fuji — to be held a week before Sandown.

Penrite Racing has test days up its sleeve, and Estre is no stranger to Mount Panorama, having previously competed in the Bathurst 12 Hour.

Estre is set to get some pre-enduro laps as teams test in the coming weeks, which will help make the picture clearer for Penrite Racing.

Tander, meanwhile, has tested Penrite Gen3 Fords and was on site with the team at Monday’s ride day in Sydney.

Part of Tander’s official duties with the team is to mentor Payne, with Estre also set to offer key experience and knowledge to the rising star.

Estre is a global Porsche ace Pic: Porsche

Penrite Racing Team Principal David Cauchi reiterated that Estre has yet to drive the car, and the team is enjoying Tander’s presence.

“We’re going to keep that under wraps a little bit longer, Kevin hasn’t been in the car yet,” Cauchi told the Schick Cool Down Lap podcast.

“We’ll have that before Sandown. We’re trying to give Garth as many laps, he’s still playing his role in the team.

“He’s mentoring Matt, it’s all working for us, we’re just enjoying the process.”

The Penrite Racing combinations are the final piece of the 2023 enduro puzzle, with Blanchard Racing Team announcing its wildcard, and confirming its combinations.

Jake Kostecki returns alongside Super2 rookie Aaron Love in the BRT wildcard, with team co-owner Tim Blanchard to race with Todd Hazelwood.

The Penrite Oil Sandown 500 will be held on September 15-17, ahead of the Repco Bathurst 1000 on October 5-8.

2023 enduro combinations (as of August 1, 2023)

*Sandown and Bathurst wildcard

**Bathurst wildcard only