Bathurst prep behind Fiore's Super2 revival

Dean Fiore’s Dunlop Super2 Series comeback at Sandown doubled as crucial preparation for Bathurst.

Fiore drove the MW Motorsport #16 Nissan Altima in the second-tier category last weekend.

He recorded finishes of third and fifth, claiming second for overall round honours.

He crossed the line first in Sunday’s chaotic finale but was demoted to fifth after being penalised for being outside his grid box.

It comes before Fiore will share the #14 Middy’s Commodore with Bryce Fullwood at this October’s Repco Bathurst 1000.

This year's Great Race will be West Australian’s 14th Bathurst start; he finished eighth with Todd Hazelwood last year.

With seat time opportunities limited, Fiore was at Sandown to compete and sharpen his tools.

“I needed it definitely,” he said.

“It's hard for me to go from father of three, being in the office, to the Mountain.

“During COVID with just the one round, it's very, very difficult without the warmup of the Sandown 500 and then the Gold Coast 600 to finish off.

“It was great that I got some support to make it happen and Matt White Motorsport obviously prepares a beautiful car, and it was awesome.”

Fiore completed the 2018 Super2 season with MW Motorsport, scoring wins at Wanneroo Raceway and Mount Panorama.

The Sandown starts come after Fiore recorded sixth at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour in the Class A GT3 Pro-Am in May.

Last weekend’s Penrite Oil Sandown SuperSprint also featured the only Additional Driver session of the season.

It was the only at-event co-driver session prior to Bathurst.

The veteran is aiming for a third straight Bathurst top 10; he finished sixth with Scott Pye and Team 18 in 2020.

His Sandown form has buoyed Fiore, who is confident of being ready when the championship hits Mount Panorama in six weeks’ time.

“I think experience counts for a lot, with limited miles, there's really no substitute for it,” he said.

“That's why I'm here at this event.

“It used to just take me half a test day and now it takes me at least a full test day to get up to speed and where I need to be.

“Ergonomically there's a lot that goes into it as well, so laps are key.

“We've got a ride day, so I’ll get a lot of laps in the main car then, and then I believe we got at least one test day before the big race.

"I'll be ready."

The 2022 Repco Bathurst 1000 will be held on October 9.

Supercars will return to New Zealand on September 9-11. Purchase your ITM Auckland SuperSprint tickets now.