No enduro test, no worries for DJR Team Penske
DJR Team Penske managing director Ryan Story believes his team will not be disadvantaged heading into this year's PIRTEK Enduro Cup, despite having utilised its single test day earlier this year with regular driver Scott Pye behind the wheel.
After Marcos Ambrose's shock decision to step away from being the team's full-time driver, Story and his team made the tough call to use its single test day, which most outfits have saved to give their co-driver miles ahead of Sandown.
However, Story believes the gains made at that day have been a key part of the team's progress and ultimately Ambrose has spent more time behind the wheel than other co-drivers as he contested the Clipsal 500 (and qualified in the ARMOR ALL Top 10 Shootout) and Australian Grand Prix.
Also in the team's favour are the newly implemented additional driver only practice sessions - while only half an hour at Queensland Raceway and Sydney Motorsport Park, it means Ambrose can run without taking time away from Pye's preparation for the meeting. Teams are allowed to use tyres run at the AGP for the session.
"Having the extra co-driver session at QR and Eastern Creek mean we're able to get him some reasonable track time on half reasonable tyres too - so we'll make sure we maximise that," Story told v8supercars.com.au.
"It'll be good to see him get a bit more comfortable in the car and get some more miles under his belt."
Ambrose didn't drive at all during the team's test day, but has been back in the car for a handful of laps at Hidden Valley. One other co-driver in the field, Chris Pither, also had the chance to get up to speed at the AGP in the Wilson Security Volvo, subbing in for his driver David Wall who suffered severe burns to his foot after the Clipsal 500 and was unable to compete.
"I think in terms of preparation for the enduros, we are a bit compromised having not tested [right before]," Story said.
"But in reality, considering the Grand Prix and Clipsal, he's done more miles than any other co-driver by Sandown, in any case.
"And he's so integrated with the team. The guys work as a really nice cohesive unit - the engineers, Scott and Marcos.
"So we're really looking forward to the longer races. It will be exciting for us to get to those later in the year."
Other competitors have flagged DJR Team Penske as ones to watch come the three endurance events, particularly the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
Ambrose was never able to win the event in his time as champion in the sport, and it seemed a huge motivator when announcing his return to the Championship.
Ambrose recently told v8supercars.com.au he would make a decision on his future as a driver after the PIRTEK Enduro Cup, as pit lane chatter focuses more around driver movements, with many pieces of the 2016 puzzle still to fall into place.
Across the endurance races, the team is set to abandon its rolling chassis model and run with the race car that has completed the least amount of mileage. There are currently three complete chassis in the workshop.
DJR Team Penske today is opening its workshop to local fans, with the Stapylton facility open from 10am to 2pm.
Fans can meet the personalities of the team, including Dick Johnson, Marcos Ambrose and Scott Pye,take a tour with the team's experts and get up close to the newest additions to the workshop - a Penske Racing IndyCar and NASCAR, shipped to Australia earlier this year.
The team will unveil its new livery for Queensland Raceway at 11am - head to the DJR Team Penske workshop at 10 Emeri Street, Stapylton QLD.
