Drivers' Quoteboard: Co-Drivers

05 Jul 2013

Today was the first chance co-drivers had to jump in their V8 Supercars at a race meeting. See what they had to say about the new Cars of the Future.

3 mins by James Pavey

Fabian Coulthard

Greg Murphy

Race

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Nick Percat, Team HIFLEX #3:

“First time In a V8 Supercar since Homebush last year and I am really happy how that went. It’s great to be back in a V8 Supercar, the Porsche is an awesome car but the Car of the Future is really good. How well they stop now with the bigger brakes is really good and it feels like you can have a bit more of a go with them so I am pretty happy. The boys at Team HiFlex have done an awesome job to make me fit in the car so good. Tony fits in it fine as well so somehow we have managed to get a tall guy and a dwarf in the car!”

Craig Baird, Irwin Racing #4:

“It’s different hopping in the car for the first time in the year, a little different and a little foreign to jump out of one German make into another one and it’s a tough place to do it. There are a few niggly problems from a driver’s point of view that I will have to get used to, but all-in-all in one piece and ready for Lee (Holdsworth) to carry on for the rest of the weekend.”

Daniel Gaunt, Norton Racing #36:

“That was great, that car was the best V8 I have ever driven as far as handling goes. The Car of the Future has a much better front end and that was my first crack in one. To the apex it is a lot sharper and it seems to ride the bumps pretty good. You can actually physically feel the power is down a little bit but I know the team is working really hard on that and I am excited for the enduros now.”

Greg Murphy, Holden Racing Team #2 and #22:

“When I drove the car at Winton the experience wasn’t overly pleasurable so I wasn’t overly impressed at that time. Today driving it is completely different and I feel really comfortable. I drove both the cars, there were a few little differences between the two cars and it was a lot of fun. The team has been working flat-out and there has been a lot of stuff going on and the car is significantly different underneath to when I drove it at Winton. They have made some big gains and hopefully this weekend the cars will be good and they will keep marching forward.”

Luke Youlden, Lockwood Racing #14:

“It’s a bit different, obviously a new team as well as Car of the Future, so a lot of new things to work out and get used to. You have to be mindful it’s a street circuit and Fabs (Fabian Coulthard) has to do the rest of the weekend, but it’s good to get a bit of a feel, a bit of a hit-out. I feel reasonably comfortable already and looking forward to the next session and see if we can build on that.”

Ash Walsh, Wilson Security Racing #17:

“It was fantastic to drive down the pit lane here at Townsville in the famous #17 DJR Falcon. It is such an iconic team and I was very proud to be with them here today. I grew up in Queensland and followed the team and Dick Johnson for many years. To represent this team is like a dream come true. It is the first time I have ever had double duties with the Championship and the Dunlop Series so it has been hectic. The DJR Falcon is a great package and I am really looking forward to the Endurance races with Tim.”

Click here for Steven Richards in Pepsi Max Crew FPR #5, who was quickest in P0.