Super2 practice confirms track deg suspicions

Dunlop Series practice on Friday offered the first look at what has proven to be a worn Perth track surface.

Supercars and Dunlop Series drivers are tackling Wanneroo Raceway for the first time since 2019.

The track was resurfaced in the 2018-19 off-season.

Lap records tumbled and tyres hung on at the 2019 meeting, with the main game races held under lights.

It was a far cry from years gone past, where piercing sunlight and sandy surrounds led to dramatic tyre wear.

Three years on from Perth’s last event, and there were suspicions the track has aged.

The fastest Practice 1 and 2 times in 2019 for Super2 were 55.024s and 54.394s.

On Friday, they were 56.147s and 55.544s.

Practice 1 fast man Matt McLean said he suffered a rude shock when he left pit lane.

“I was watching onboards of 2019 and seeing black tarmac,” Matt McLean told Supercars.com.

“I rolled out of pit lane today and all I’m seeing is grey tarmac.

“It’s a cool track, it’s short and you really have to hustle the car.

“In saying that, we didn’t get a proper lap in [in practice] because of all the traffic and red flags.

"But there isn't a lot of grip out there."

McLean is one of several drivers in the Dunlop Series field without prior Supercar experience in Perth.

Sophomore Eggleston Motorsport driver McLean had never raced a car at Wanneroo full stop.

However, he was delighted by the track’s challenges, and welcomed the prospect of Saturday’s twilight Super2 race.

“Turn 5 is definitely the most loose corner,” he said.

“You go over the rise and you’re already sliding the car, and then you turn and it keeps sliding around.

“It’s a new track for a lot of us, so looking after tyres and racing hard will be a balancing act.

“I’m enjoying it; I did a lot of karting, so I like having to wrestle the car over a short lap.

“I can’t wait for the races.”

Supercars will commence Saturday’s running with Practice 1 at 10:20am local time.