Ongoing repairs alter Team 18's test plans

Ongoing repairs to the #20 have forced Team 18 to use just one car at Tuesday’s Winton test.

Scott Pye will share the #18 IRWIN Commodore with Mark Winterbottom at Winton.

It comes after Pye was involved in a major accident at the recent round in Perth.

Pye suffered a 10G impact following contact with Jack Le Brocq in the early stages of Race 11.

The impact damaged a gate on pit straight, causing a red flag.

Pye’s car was withdrawn from the later race before it was returned to the team’s Victorian headquarters.

The team had targeted a two-car test, although ongoing repairs have changed those plans.

The car has been placed on a chassis jig to repair parts of the damaged framework.

Team 18’s test day will also include time with Red Bull Ampol Racing, which will be in attendance for a rookie test with Broc Feeney.

Charlie Schwerkolt's team is a customer squad of Triple Eight.

“It’s not an ideal situation only going with one car up to Winton, however we will certainly make the most of it,” team owner Schwerkolt said.

“I think most if not all Victorian teams are testing, so I think there’s more advantages to test some new bits and pieces ahead of the next race.

“It will be a full-on day with Frosty doing the majority of the driving while Scott will hop in and get plenty of laps as well.

“We’ll have our full crew on hand so it will be a busy day with plenty of things we want to throw at the car.

“It will be great to be garaged next door to Triple Eight with Broc Feeney who have a rare opportunity to test there as well, so that will only strengthen our ties with them.

“We will be keeping an eye on each other, sharing our data and resources so there will be plenty going on between us.”

The 2022 season will resume at Winton on May 21-22. Purchase your tickets now.