Davison braced for Tasmania 'balancing act'

How drivers manage the new Super Soft tyre will be key to success in Tasmania, says Will Davison.

Dunlop's revamped Super Soft compound will solely be used by drivers at Symmons Plains this weekend.

It comes after drivers used just one set in the dual 300km races in Sydney earlier this month.

The Launceston venue isn't known for tyre degradation, but a softer compound will have teams and drivers working overtime.

Cars will have seven sets of the tyre for the three qualifying sessions and three 44-lap sprints.

For Davison, tyre strategy will prove crucial in a driver's chance to convert in the races.

“We obviously ran [the new tyre] in Sydney, but it was a different scenario,” the Shell V-Power Racing Team driver said.

“We ran it in the middle of the race, and we had dual compounds, and we were conservative on a high degradation circuit.

“At Symmons Plains, we’ll also be qualifying on the tyre, so we’ll be asking a lot more of the tyre and car set-up.

“It’ll be an interesting balancing act with one tyre on the car, with only tyre stops now.

“That’s going to play a big part in the race, whether people get through on a two-tyre stop or change three or four tyres.”

Qualifying is key at the 2.41km circuit; 19 of the last 20 winners in Symmons Plains started no lower than third on the grid.

Of those 20 races, dating back to 2013, 15 have come from the front row of the grid.

Two podiums from fifth on the grid in 2021 for Davison

“It’s a track I really enjoy, we know how tight it is in qualifying,” said Davison, who is 63 points from the championship lead.

“First and foremost, getting that perfect lap in qualifying to get yourself towards the front of the grid is paramount.

“Often you see 10 cars covered by one tenth of a second.

“Once you’re up the front, it really is an intense-paced race.

“You’ve got to make no mistakes; you’ll get hammered if you do."

The 2022 Repco Supercars Championship will resume at the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint. CLICK HERE to purchase your tickets.

Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506 and streamed on Kayo.

The Seven Network will broadcast highlights on Saturday and Sunday.