hero-img

Russell's twin challenge

18 Sep 2015
"Just because we're doing the wild card doesn't mean we'll forget all about the Dunlop Series - we're there to do a job in both," said Aaren Russell.
3 mins by James Pavey
Advertisement
A dream come true

In addition to his duties as a wildcard entrant in this year's Great Race, Aaren Russell remains focussed on his V8 Supercars Dunlop Series campaign at the 2015 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Last month the Plus Fitness Racing pilot announced he will partner with brother Drew at Mount Panorama this year after being granted a wild card entry to compete in Australia's biggest race in a Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden Commodore VF.

It's a life-long dream come true for the Novocastrian duo, but younger brother Aaren remains committed to the Dunlop Series mini-enduro: a single, 250 kilometre haul around Mount Panorama on the Saturday of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

"Of course, Saturday's race is just as important as Sunday," he told v8supercars.com.au.

"Just because we're doing the wild card doesn't mean we'll forget all about the Dunlop Series - we're there to do a job in both."

With the option to take on a co-driver in the mini-enduro, the brothers are also set to team-up in the Dunlop Series on Saturday in Aaren's #58 Ford Falcon, before stepping into their new generation #62 Holden for the 1000 kilometre haul on Sunday.

But with 150 points on offer for the single raceat the penultimate round of the series - and Aaren currently sitting 11th in the points - their partnership in the mini-enduro will be a deciding factor for Aaren's series hopes.

Advertisement

"Bathurst is always one you want to do well at no matter what, and it's going to be an important race because how Drew drives will have a bearing on what my championship might be," he said.

"But I trust him. We wouldn't be doing this if we didn't trust him, and this way, we will have a better Sunday.

"You don't forget how to drive by any means, but any chance to get Drew back into a car and back into the swing of things, and also at the mini-enduro when you're in a high pressure situation with pit stops and everything. We'd be silly not to do it."

Last month the Novocastrian Motorsport squad completed a test day in their wild card entry at Winton alongside GRM, who will prepare the car prior to the family-operated Russell team running it at Bathurst.

With wild card entries allocated two test days, the Russell brothers currently have no plans to utilise the second test, telling v8supercars.com.au that their Dunlop Series preparation and the amount of practice time across the four days at Bathurst will suffice.

Like the Russell brothers, Dunlop Series young gun Renee Gracie will also be on double duties at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, balacing the Dunlop Series mini-enduro with the Bathurst 1000 as one half of the Harvey Norman Supergirls wild card entry.

With the Dunlop Series feature race on Saturday and the Great Race on Sunday, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is set to be adrenalin-charged. Be part of the legend of Bathurst and click here for ticketing information.

Related News

Advertisement