Penrite Racing primed for Bathurst redemption

Penrite Racing boss Barry Ryan is confident of another strong showing at Mount Panorama next week, after a positive test day at Winton on Tuesday.

The squad has been at the centre of the Bathurst drama over the last two years, winning in 2017 before suffering a heartbreaking defeat last year.

David Reynolds and Luke Youlden scored ARMOR ALL Pole and led 112 of the first 132 laps, before Reynolds started to slow with fatigue.

They eventually finished 13th, after Reynolds had to be pulled from the car late in the race.

The second entry of Anton De Pasquale and Will Brown qualified third and ran second early before suffering a litany of dramas, finishing 24th.

All four drivers took to Winton on Tuesday, where the team split its priorities between performance testing and regular pre-enduro work.

The team has had patchy form across recent events, with Reynolds currently sixth and De Pasquale 11th in the championship.

“In Pukekohe we were rushed into an aero change that we didn’t know much about but [Tuesday] we were able to learn a hell of a lot,” said Ryan of the test.

“That was a big item to tick off; then there were a few performance items that we had tried at the track but taken back out because we didn’t have the time to risk it.

“Pitstops were really good, we are focused on making time in pitlane as much as on the track, that’s a key focus.

“The car and drivers are fast, so we are in as good a shape as we have been the last two years, if not better.”

Youlden also ended the day exuding confidence, unconcerned by the lack of the traditional Sandown lead-in race before heading to the Mountain.

“It’s the happiest I have ever been heading into Bathurst,” Youlden said.

“We have spent a lot of time working on driver comforts, and although there is always compromise, it’s a lot better.

“We are approaching Bathurst the same as we always have, but getting these things right is more important because we don’t have a second chance like we have had before.

“We went through a lot of things [on Tuesday] and ticked a lot of boxes; I feel the most comfortable and most confident I have heading into the enduros.”

All of the Victorian squads were in action at Winton on Tuesday, including Walkinshaw Andretti United’s wildcard for IndyCar pairing Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe.

IRWIN Racing has also continued at the circuit for a second day, preparing for the Great Race with its combination of Bathurst winners Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards.