TEKNO's Enduro Test, Without Enduro Drivers

With the PIRTEK Enduro Cup beginning in a matter of weeks, a number of teams are taking the opportunity to test ahead of the Wilson Security Sandown 500.

TEKNO Autosports is amongst the 10 teams locking in a test day this week in preparation for the enduros.

And while international co-drivers Marc Lieb and Jeroen Bleekemolen will not be present at the day to run in the Darrell Lea and VIP Petfoods backed Holden Commodores with Jonathon Webb and Shane van Gisbergen, team manager Bruce Jenkins is confident they will be up to speed.

He explained there was much more to the test than driver time.

“It is an enduro test heading into the enduro season, which gives us a chance to run new components,” Jenkins told v8supercars.com.au.

“It’s not to go faster at Queensland Raceway, but to be right at the enduros at Sandown and Bathurst.”

Given the new generation V8 Supercars have not run over such distance before, Jenkins expects to be presented with new challenges over the two races.

“It will be very, very interesting – I’m looking forward to it and performing exceedingly well! There’s a certain amount of trepidation.”

The test is also an opportunity to confirm procedures among the crew in terms of pit stops; with the new brake package, test changing brake pads and discs; and changing front and rear bars.

Given their co-drivers’ pedigree and experience with V8 Supercars – both pairings contested the Gold Coast event last year, with Lieb and Webb coming home second in the first race – Jenkins is not concerned by the absence.

“The two (co-drivers) we have, have an enormous amount of experience in other types of racing in Europe and I feel they will fit straight in,” he said.

“These guys are racing every single weekend … they’re quality professional drivers and shouldn’t have any problems.”

TEKNO’s results of late may be considered inconsistent – with Webb having dropped out of the top 10 in the Championship after the Winton 360, and Shane van Gisbergen dropping from seventh to eighth – though Jenkins didn’t agree.

“We’re going to be optimistic (about the enduros) and go with the view we’re going to win. We’re in a very strong position.

“Winton was difficult for us. It’s not our home test track, but Sunday showed with the VIP Petfoods car Shane could compete at the pointy end of the grid, he raced well and finished fifth.

“I think we’re moving forward and the engineering department is working well.”

Ford Performance Racing and Brad Jones Racing test today at Winton; TEKNO, Erebus Motorsport V8, Dick Johnson Racing and Red Bull Racing Australia tomorrow at Queensland Raceway; and Holden Racing Team, Supercheap Auto Racing, Tony D’Alberto Racing and Fujitsu Garry Rogers Motorsport at Winton on Wednesday.