Matt Moylan swaps Steeden for Supercar

Penrith Panthers captain Matt Moylan took a break from finals training to experience a Supercar hot lap around Sydney Motorsport Park earlier this week.

Jumping in with Scott McLaughlin, Moylan had the chance to ride in the Volvo S60 after it proved a speedy package during the weekend’s event, with McLaughlin earning two top six finishes at the circuit.

Moylan suited up with GRM to take to the shortened SMSP track, which hosted a whopping 25 cars on Monday post-event. He wasn’t disappointed.

“It was unreal,” the Panthers captain told supercars.com after his two-lap ride. 

“I really enjoyed the experience, you’ve got to respect what they do, how they handle the car … it’s pretty impressive.”

The 25-year old was fascinated with the drivers’ abilities to handle the forces within the car.

“I was saying as soon as I got out, I don’t know how they change gears and steer sometimes!

"It’s pretty bumpy out there at some of the corners. It’s impressive how they are able to control the car.”

While Moylan had never experienced Sydney Motorsport Park in the cockpit, he had seen the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship cars race at the Sydney Olympic Park grand finale.

“I’ve been to one (event) at Homebush a few years ago and done a lap around there as well. I’ve enjoyed both experiences, but it was a bit different today, a bit more open and probably a bit faster,” he said.

“I was trying to see what they do while they’re driving as well as look around at where we’re going, trying to take it all in – it all happens pretty quick!

“Some corners you think they’re not going to brake and then at the last minute they brake. It’s a good experience.”

Moylan hooked up with McLaughlin through a local Volvo dealer, and the young Kiwi was more than happy to show him what Supercars drivers do when they’re competing on their big stage.

“From what I’ve seen, Matt’s a pretty down to earth guy so he was pretty cruisy about the whole thing. Having seen what he’s done on the field, watching him in Origin and whatnot it was cool to take him around,” McLaughlin

“He was pretty shocked at how hot it gets in the car, when we were speaking about it previously. He asked heaps of questions.”