Holdsworth 'not here to be a runner-up'

Lee Holdsworth is determined to fight for silverware despite conceding Grove Racing isn't yet in a race-winning position.

Holdsworth’s first round in Penrite colours in Sydney reaped finishes of 21st and 10th, leaving him 20th overall.

Teammate David Reynolds’ finishes of 24th and ninth have the 2017 Bathurst winner ranked 16th.

Reynolds and Holdsworth combine to form the most experienced line-up on the grid.

For Holdsworth, that doesn’t guarantee "overnight" success, although he isn’t keen to make up the numbers.

"I’m being realistic about my chances and the team’s as well," Holdsworth said in Tasmania.

"We’ve got a big hill to climb this year.

"We’re not in a position at the moment to be fighting for race wins or not even probably podiums.

"We’re building, and we’ve got to be patient. But at the same time, I’m not here to be a runner-up.

"I want it to happen sooner rather than later; every round, we want to keep on improving."

Both Penrite Mustangs looked competitive at times in Sydney, but a pair of top 10s on Sunday was the maximum.

Reynolds suffered mechanical dramas on the Saturday, and was forced to recover from a first-lap puncture in Race 2.

Already, the team is over 260 points behind in the teams’ standings.

With Sydney in the can, Holdsworth expects to be moving forward from here on in.

"The first round didn’t go so great for us," he said.

"We had some problems with strategy, but we showed a lot of promise.

"If that’s something to take from it, then we’re feeling pretty positive.

"By mid-season, we should be expecting some pretty good results."

Whether that results in a victory may come down to luck.

In a combined 60 starts at Symmons Plains, Reynolds and Holdsworth combine for just one top three finish.

While conscious there is no ‘magic switch’, Holdsworth couldn’t hide his ambition to help the Groves to victory lane.

"It’d be amazing to get a race win this year," he said.

"It’d be huge for Grove Racing… it’s not out of the question.

"There’s rounds where strategy plays a huge part, there’s round where the weather can play into your hands.

"It’d be unbelievable to add to the Grove trophy cabinet."

The 2022 season 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.