Not a Scratch on XBox Wildcard
International drivers Andy Priaulx and rookie Mattias Ekstrom did not put a scratch on the XBox One wildcard Commodore during the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
The pair completed the 1000km race, as well as numerous practice sessions and qualifying, and managed to keep the Triple Eight Race Engineering prepared Holden straight and impress with their performance, coming home 10th.
In fact, in v8supercars.com.au's poll, over 2500 fans voted on who they believed were the Most Valuable Drivers in the top 10 at the event (excluding the winners). The international pairing resoundingly generated the most votes, with 40 per cent of fans touting them best, ahead of David Reynolds/Dean Canto (21 per cent) and Craig Lowndes/Warren Luff (12 per cent). Click here to see full poll results or to cast your vote.
Both Priaulx and Ekstrom enjoyed the drive at Mount Panorama, Priaulx mentioning he would like a full-time drive in the category in the future, and Ekstrom speaking to v8supercars.com.au about the endeavour.
Despite finding speed early, appearing third in the co-driver only Practice Four, Ekstrom admitted it took time to feel comfortable in the new generation V8 Supercar, having never driven a right-hand drive race car before.
“It took me a quite while,” the 35-year old Swedish racer said.
“There was some places, especially like going into The Cutting, I never felt comfortable. Exiting, going out of the right-handers like The Cutting, I felt like I should go left. The next left, I never felt relaxed.
“Coming to Skyline, going down The Dipper for example, I think I had way too much of a difference and lost a lot of time there – also from The Dipper to Forrest Elbow I was too conservative.”
Once the race began, analysing the lines of other drivers helped him better understand the challenging circuit.
“I think it was my actual first stint of the race when I got driving behind other cars where I had more perspective, someone to give me the line.
“That was when I could see where they placed the car, and could see where my car was versus them, and that actually helped me. So the last stint I felt more confident, but that’s how it is when you’re a rookie. You don’t expect to win the race the first time.”
The deal was one driver would qualify and the other would start the race – Ekstrom jumped in for the 40-minute session on Friday and landed the car in 18th.
By lap 24 the car was up to 10th position and by lap 104, Ekstrom had inherited the lead of the race. The #10 pitted and led again at lap 126, but a vibration in the tyre after a flat spot meant an unscheduled pit stop.
Ekstrom said looking back he was sure he’d be happy with 10th for his first shot at Mount Panorama, though after the race – in true driver fashion – he wanted to have finished higher in the order.
“The target was to run within the top 10 and then we finished 10th, so mission just accomplished… I’m not 100 per cent happy, I think I would have been happy to give the car to Andy in the last stint fighting somewhere between fifth and eighth.”
He praised the V8 Supercars Championship – not just the on-track action, but the accessibility for fans at the event.
“I’m very impressed with the other drivers, the driving standard is very high, very fair, the cars are really enjoyable to drive.
“It is way more open here. People are having a different approach – it’s much more genuine and more open, the fans can come look in the garages, so it’s really, really impressive.
“And it’s not only the driving I learned, I met a lot of nice people, I saw a new Championship and I have learned a lot…
“In the end to finish 10th – sure, I would’ve preferred a bit better – but the experience is 10 out of 10.”
The appearance at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 was a one-off for the car – the field will return to 28 cars for the upcoming ARMOR ALL Gold Coast 600.
