Co-drivers' Quoteboard: Wilson Security Sandown 500 preview
11 Sep 2014
"It is good to come back to FPR with a year under my belt with the engineering group and the car. We are going to Sandown to win and that's the reason I am here racing with Frosty. If we don't win we'll be disappointed. It's as simple as that. I think the co-driver-only sessions are going to play a key role for the drivers that have stayed in the same team as we'll be able to fine-tune things quicker. I've done plenty of laps around all the tracks coming up and it will be my 16th Bathurst so I think we'll have plenty of advantages over the next few events."
"Testing was good due to the fact I got plenty of miles and I understand the car's unique characteristics and how you need to drive it. I pretended I was Chaz (Mostert) and drove the car in the same way and it all worked well. I am under no illusions as to what my job is - go to each event and hand the car back to Chaz and let him take the fight to the regular drivers. We definitely have a shot at winning at Sandown but so do probably another 15 cars. I've done this plenty of times. My first Sandown was 1992 and I finished second and while it has taken a while to get back to the front this is my best shot at being there."
"Last year we were running strong until Dave (Reynolds) and I both ran off track in the race, which was far from ideal. We had a weak car under brakes but that is improved this year. The competition we face is now much stronger. We had six or seven in a group, which pulled away from the field but I am still confident we will be in the front group again. Strategy plays a big part in the next few events so that will work to our advantage as we are usually good with fuel economy and playing the strategy game. Working with Dave again is good - nothing has changed, we are comfortable with each other and that is a bonus this time of year. I can't wait to get onto some good tyres and see how we're placed."
"I'm feeling pretty good about heading into the endurance races with Jack. We had a good pre-enduro test last week, and by the end of the day I had done over 100 laps and am feeling comfortable in the car. I'm pretty confident that we can get a few good results. Jack and I are similar sizes so it makes driver changes a lot easier, and we both like the car handling the same way, which makes car set-up less of a compromise. It will be good to go back to Sandown. The last time I raced there was in 2011 in the Development Series, but I have plenty of laps around Sandown from my Formula Vee and Formula Ford days. I really like the track, and it's my first time doing the 500 as a co-driver, so it should be interesting."
"Always continuity in this game is a good thing. To be saddling back up as Brighty's helper for the enduros is very humbling for me, I feel pretty privileged to be a part of the group. The way it works with Andrew Edwards (race engineer) in control of the engineering side with Wally and Chop and Tommy who work on the car - we've had that continuity across the last 3 years so everyone is very familiar with one another."
"I'm happy with my speed in testing, getting pretty close to Fabs there and he's obviously at the top of his game at the moment. The car is performing well so I think we've got as good a chance as anyone."
"To be here at the Holden Racing Team is a dream come true.
"As a kid growing up the Holden factory team was the pinnacle of Australian motor sport and to now be pulling on the red overalls and joining the Holden Racing Team family is a very special moment.
"To be paired with Garth is fantastic - he's one of the superstars of the series, and you know that he's always going to go out there and give it everything.
"I love the Sandown 500. I've been on the podium three times there, obviously the last two years with Craig Lowndes.
"Given what we've learnt from the test at Winton I think the Holden Racing Team is going to Sandown incredibly well prepared and we'll definitely push to be at the pointy end of the field."
"We've got some redemption to find after last year's performance, and it's great to have the chance to have another crack and race with James again starting this weekend at Sandown.
"James and I are very compatible, which is nice. Most driver pairings have to compromise in some way, in the seating or setup options, whereas we don't, which is nice. Even our race suits are the same size.
"That doesn't mean that we've got an advantage but it certainly makes it easier."
"Winton is a pretty good place to go and test and acclimatise to the current generation V8 Supercar.
"The car is somewhat different to what I'm used to, which is the corvette C7R I race back in the US, but everybody here at Walkinshaw Racing has been very accommodating and have given me plenty of advice. Nick's been fantastic in the way he has integrated me into the team and we had a very productive test."
"I think 2014 will be a little easier for me to settle into than last year. It is great to be back with DJR, and be in a very familiar environment with the same car, the same engineer and crew. It is going to allow me to focus on the car and driving and not have to get to know how the team works.
"Friday and Saturday will be really important for me as I have only done minimal laps in the #16 DJR Falcon so far this year. The co drivers have a lot of track time and I will need to deliver a lot of the set up for Scott to run with. It is an exciting time and I am very pleased to be back with DJR and to drive with my good mate Scott."
"I am really pumped to be back in a V8 Supercar for the endurance series. I guess even more so to be back with DJR and have such a strong program in front of us. I honestly don't remember being this excited in the lead up to an Endurance Series!
"I have worked hard on my fitness in recent months and am hoping the effort pays off for David (Wall), me and the whole team. The format at Sandown will give me a lot of running and our focus is to tune the car to be the fastest we can make it. It will be up to David and I to drive around any set ups we normally would not chose, but we have to ensure it is a fast race car come Sunday's 161 laps.
"I think we do have an advantage over some teams who may have a co driver who does not know the car or engineers that well. Sometimes it just takes them longer to get up to speed. I know all the guys and the way the team operates very well, so it should be an advantage for the #17 Wilson Security Falcon."
"It's a fantastic opportunity for me, thanks to Nissan and everyone involved who has been able to make this possible.
"I can't wait to get to Sandown for race weekend.
"It's been good to get a test in at Winton, and get a bit of experience in the car.
"We had both dry and wet weather running, and with a reasonable chance of getting those conditions at Sandown, it's good to have experienced the car in various situations."
"I can't wait to be honest.
"We had a great test at Winton, and I feel really comfortable in the car.
"Because I'm not a full time driver in this particular car, it's really important for me to get a good feel for the car, a good feel for the brakes, the handling and any changes that have been made in the past year.
"For me, I'm really confident heading in, and I can't wait to get on track and get amongst it."
"Like most of the events that the team has gone into this year, it's going to be a bit of an unknown for us.
"Compared to last year, the Nissan package has improved, and if we get everything right and a few things roll our way, we should be in for a solid result.
"James has been getting the car sorted the past couple of rounds which is positive. I'm feeling pretty confident. I went OK at the test, so I think we should be reasonably strong."
"I'm really excited. I've never been a co-driver before - I've only ever been the lead driver - so it's a little different for me.
"But I know my job. We need to make sure Michael is 100 percent comfortable, so I'm here to do the best for his championship. After the test days we've had, I'm feeling good in the car and I'm super confident that we can do a good job.
"Michael's (Caruso's) recent form has been very encouraging. He has a really good understanding of the car, just like his engineer Steven (Todkill). Their bond seems really strong and I can see that the overall understanding and unity in car #36 is very tight."
"The team have really been able to surprise a few people this year and I think the longer distance races are something that will suit us.
"Anything can happen in these races and Sandown always throws up different weather conditions to make it all the more exciting.
"I've done quite a few laps in the car now so I'm feeling comfortable and am really looking forward to see what we can do."
