Inside the 'important' pre-enduro test in Sydney
Tuesday’s running at Sydney Motorsport Park marked a key outing for teams in preparation for the Repco Bathurst 1000.
Of the 25 cars which are set to start next month’s Repco Bathurst 1000, 14 were on track.
Enduro tests are usually centred on co-driver mileage, but on Tuesday, teams moved to iron out the kinks in enduro procedures, such as pit stop practice.
Tuesday’s running was organised because of difficulties which border closures have presented some teams, with some co-drivers based interstate.
Teams such as Red Bull Ampol Racing, Tickford Racing, Team 18 and Kelly Grove Racing had already completed their full allocation of test days.
“Today and obviously the co-driver session on Friday is so important,” Walkinshaw Andretti United co-driver Warren Luff told Supercars.com.
“You always look forward to enduro tests, it’s a chance for us co-drivers to get plenty of miles.
“It doesn’t matter what you drive through the year; when you step into a Supercar for enduro testing, it’s a chance to get comfortable.
“It’s about the operating features, like buttons on the wheel, practising pit stops and driver changes, getting used to seat fittings, radio communication.
“You have to get on the same page that the team has been on all year.”
That’s not to say laps around SMSP weren’t at a premium on Tuesday; Brad Jones Racing cars led the way in both the morning and afternoon sessions with regards to mileage.
BJR confirmed a change to its line-up just hours before cars hit the track, with David Wall replacing Ash Walsh alongside Jack Smith.
'Today and obviously the co-driver session on Friday is so important'
The Albury-based team also clocked major mileage in the afternoon session, with its four cars logging 69, 65, 64 and 60 laps respectively.
Co-drivers will have a session to themselves this Friday afternoon in the Additional Drivers Practice session at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.
From there, all eyes will be on Bathurst, with race day on December 5.
For Luff, who has recorded seven Bathurst 1000 podiums in 20 starts, nailing one-percenters on Tuesday - such as driver changes - was crucial preparation for the real thing.
“It hasn’t been an ideal year with regards to COVID and a lack of testing,” said Luff, who will share the #2 Mobil 1 Middy’s Commodore with Bryce Fullwood.
“It puts more emphasis on having a good day today, which we’ve done.
“Bryce and I only really started to work on seat inserts yesterday; there’s a height difference so we have different inserts.
“We banged out practice stops this morning, and straight up, they were bang on with regards to where they need to be with times.
“You don’t want to make mistakes because Bathurst is essentially a sprint race. If you’re on half a tank of fuel and need a top-up under a Safety Car, it can make or break your whole race."
The 2021 Repco Supercars Championship will resume this weekend at the Beaurepaires Sydney SuperNight.
Every session of the event will be broadcast live on Foxtel (Fox Sports 506) and streamed on Kayo.
The Seven Network will provide live free to air coverage of the event.
Tickets for the event are on sale now.
