Lindbom: A lot has changed in the Dunlop Series

Dragon Racing's Kristian Lindbom is aware of the challenge he faces returning to the Dunlop Series at this weekend's Coates Hire Ipswich 400.

Twenty-four year old Lindbom hasn't raced in the Series since last year's Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 and believesthings are quite difference now.

"A lot has changed in my short time out of the Series," said Lindbom.

"To do well, everything needs to be 100 per cent. You need to have a good car and the right people around you to compete with the front runners.

"I haven't raced since Bathurst so I know my driving won't be perfect so I'm probably not after race wins, but I would like to see myself inside the top five.

"It will be pretty tough only having two practice sessions in the car before qualifying but having the right people around the car will make up for that."

This weekend, Lindbom and the Dragon Racing #13 car have the mechanical support of Garry Rogers Motorsport, who prepared the car.

A GRM-built engine powers the V8 Supercar, which team boss Tony Klein believed to be the only one of its kind.

"I'm pretty confident we have a strong package," Lindbom said. "We've got a decent car and great people working on it.

"Tony has made a significant investment and I'm grateful he understands the importance of having the complete package to ensure nothing is lacking."

Lindbom feels there are vast differences in the philosophy of resource allocation, and the general running of things, between his former team and Dragon Racing.

"It's different to my last Dunlop Series campaign because back then I was in a very good car but there wasn't enough backing to keep it up the front," he said.

"It's very different. Most drivers will just drive, but I'm involved on multiple levels and bringing my experience into it.

"There's a black and white way of doing it and this is very different -I'm learning that way, Tony's learning the way we normally do it and we'll meet somewhere in the middle -and hopefully that's success."

With Lindbom confirmed for a drive with Dragon Racing as a wild card at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, this weekend gives the young gun crucial race mileage. He has also been charged with selecting his main game co-driver for the important event, which will be announced after this weekend's racing.

Having not tested the Dunlop Series car at all (or the new generation Commodore that will enter Bathurst, for that matter) Lindbom admits he's not aiming for a race win this weekend, but will focus on doing the best job he feels they are capable of.

A field of 30 cars will take part in the Coates Hire Ipswich 400 - the fifth round of this year's Dunlop Series.

Local Ash Walsh has an 84-point lead over Paul Dumbrell heading into the event but identifies the track as his bogey track, despite it being his test track.

A Queensland based team has not won a round at Queensland Raceway since Triple Eight Racing's Andrew Thompson in 2011.

The Dunlop Series is on track at 10:45 AEST for the first of two practice sessions ahead of Saturday morning's qualifying.

Two 29-lap races make up the round with Sunday's race featuring a top 10 inversion.