Percat’s co-drivers confirmed

Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has confirmed Nick Percat will run two different co-drivers throughout the Pirtek Enduro Cup this season.

After taking part in the additional driver sessions at Winton and Queensland Raceway, Cameron McConville will contest his first Supercars race since 2012 and step in for the Wilson Security Sandown 500.

International Oliver Gavin will reunite with Percat for the other two long-distance events at Bathurst and the Gold Coast, as a clash in the UK rules him out for the September 16-18 Melbourne event.

It will be the third year the two pair up, having first driven together at Walkinshaw Racing in 2014 and finishing third at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 that year.

“Unfortunately, Oliver had prior commitments with his team, Corvette (Racing) in the UK, and we had to look for another driver to step in for the first round,” team owner Lucas Dumbrell said.

“Cam has been with us before, he did a great job in both of the additional driver sessions and obviously has a vast experience in racing.”

While retired from full-time competition, McConville spent 14 years as a professional driver, competing in the V8 Supercars Championship, Australian Porsche Carrera Cup, and Formula Ford, as well as the Australian Touring Car Championship.

“Even though I haven’t driven in a Supercar event since Bathurst 2012, I have been doing some GT and Carerra Cup racing so have kept relatively race sharp,” McConville said.

In 2010, McConville replaced LDM’s Daniel Gaunt and competed in a one off round at the Sucrogen Townsville 400, finishing 24th and 16th (in a field of 29). 

“It’s very fitting that I return to the V8 field with LDM, as my last full-time drive was with them in Townsville a few years back as a one-off,” the 42-year old said.

“It’s certainly no full-time come back or anything like that, but the opportunity to help the team out with the absence of Oliver Gavin was too good to pass up.”

The recent additional driver sessions have been helpful, and McConville is planning to run at a ride day after the Red Rooster Sydney Motorsport Park SuperSprint, as well as LDM’s pre-enduro test. 

“The recent co-driver session gave me a good feel of the car and to be honest it felt like yesterday that I was racing around Queensland Raceway,” said McConville.

“I have a lot of time for Lucas and the whole team and what they are trying to achieve so I’m super keen to help them get a result for Sandown.”

Switching co-drivers across the three events will deem car #222 ineligible for winning the Pirtek Enduro Cup.

The team is yet to announce Andre Heimgartner’s co-driver, with young Dunlop Series driver Alex Rullo steering at the two co-driver sessions this season.

The Wilson Security Sandown 500 kicks off at Sandown Raceway on September 16 to 18.