Practice Important for Pye

While you’d often hear comments of Fridaybeing ‘just Practice’ from drivers who may be on top of the times, for ekolRacing’s Scott Pye today is imperative to his performance this weekend at theChill Perth 360.

After Pye’s big accident two eventsago in Tasmania, Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has worked around the clock to getthe #80 Holden Commodore ready to run today.

The team wasn’t able to fit in a test dayat Winton Raceway before Perth, having only had a short shakedown last week. Andwhile Pye was present at the ITM 400 Auckland – last event, which was staged inNew Zealand – it was more about engaging sponsors and seeing what happens inthe garage when the cars are on-track. 

Pye is looking forward to jumping into thecar today and making leeway with the setup during the three sessions.

“Everyone says that (it’s just Practice)because, at a place like this where the tyres are so important – this circuitdoes eat away the tyres – at the end of today it’s difficult toknow what (quality tyres) everyone’s running,” the 23-year old driver explained.

“But for us here, we’ve had a big rebuildsince Tasmania so it’s really important to get the car back on-track and makesure it’s good.

“We want to get out there and have a goodweekend – for the morale of the boys as well, to break inside the 10 and givethem a bit of a boost for all the hard work they’ve done.

“The car was good at the shakedown we didthe other day so there’s not an issue with the car.

“Today’s about finding a good set-up andthen Qualifying tomorrow, after the last Practice, will be where everyone seeswhere they are.”

Pye didn’t specify anything the team waslooking to improve, just saying the general set-up will be tweaked.

“I think that’s the same for everyone,” hesaid.

“We’re trying a few different things thisweekend because we’ve seen this year the BJR cars and FPR cars are extremelycompetitive – so we’ve got a bit of work to do, but there’s quite a few of usin the same boat.

“So today’s just about finding the set-up,making the tyre work as best as we can – something we haven’t done the best inthe past – and this weekend is all about getting a good result.

“Like I’ve said – and I’ll keep saying – theguys have done such a good job to get the car back to the way it is now and forme, I want to work hard and make sure we’ve got a great car for tomorrow andthe weekend.”

The first V8 Supercars Practice sessionstarts at 10.55am local time today, ahead of Qualifying and three races thisweekend as part of the Chill Perth 360. Tickets are available through Ticketek.