Early 2024 laps for Supercars stars
Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and Nick Percat test 12 Hour cars
Waters, Randle to race with Craig Lowndes in STM Mercedes
Percat tested with new team MSR for the first time
Cam Waters, Thomas Randle and Nick Percat have got some early miles in ahead of their Repco Bathurst 12 Hour starts.
Tickford Racing teammates Waters and Randle will share a Scott Taylor Motorsport Mercedes-AMG with two-time 12 Hour winner Craig Lowndes.
Waters and Randle joined Lowndes at Sydney Motorsport Park this week to test their Mercedes-AMG ahead of the February 16-18 event.
For Randle, it marks Bathurst 12 Hour start No.1, while Waters last raced in an Audi in 2022. It was the first tarmac running for Waters this year after several speedway appearances.
Across to Queensland, and it was a significant day for Percat, who got his first laps in a Matt Stone Racing environment. Percat, the 2011 Bathurst winner, has joined MSR after two seasons with Walkinshaw Andretti United.
On Thursday, Percat completed his first test day with MSR, in the IRC GT the team is fielding in next month’s Repco Bathurst 12 Hour.
Percat joined MSR incumbent Cameron Hill, along with John Holinger, on the test day at Queensland Raceway to acquaint himself with the brand-new IRC GT. Not only was it a chance to shake off the cobwebs, but Percat also got to know Hill and new engineer Jack Bellotti.
“It was probably good for Cam and myself to have a drive of something heading into the Supercars season,” Percat said.
“Very fortunately, I got to do the first laps this morning, which is always pretty cool in a new car.
“For me, it's just been good to work with Jack – my engineer for the year – and the crew, and just kind of get familiar with everyone's faces and the way they go about it. It's been quite fun.
“I looked over at points during the day and Matt [Stone] was on the car, getting his hands dirty, and everyone chips in, so it's good to see how the race team works and I'm looking forward to coming back in a couple of weeks' time for the Supercars test.”
Percat’s MSR predecessor, Jack Le Brocq, will also compete at the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour in an Erebus Motorsport-supported M-Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3.
Last week, Will Brown also got in his first laps with Triple Eight, in the team's Mercedes-AMG he will share at the 12 Hour with new teammate Broc Feeney.
The Repco Bathurst 12 Hour and Supercars season-opener, the Thrifty Bathurst 500, will be held on consecutive weeks late next month. Tickets for both events are on sale now.
