Jacobson's top five goal

Eggleston Motorsport's Gary Jacobson said he's has what it takes to be a top five regular heading into next weekend's Castrol Townsville 500 -Driven by TAFE Queensland.

After recording his first ever top 10 finish at Townsville last year, Jacobson feels like a more mature, confident driver with his sights firmly set on the top five.

"I'm very capable of being inside the top five," said Jacobson.

"Eggleston Motorsport has been great for my confidence and also my maturity as a driver. They're a professional operation and having Dan Kroehn as an engineer to guide me through everything has helped me step up this year."

Since Jacobson joined Eggleston Motorsport, the 22-year old has earned solid results, recording his first top five finish in the opening round at the Clipsal 500, before going on to take his career best finish of third in round two at Winton Raceway.

However, the Shepparton native's top five finishing streak was interrupted at Perth, seeing Jacobson slip outside the top 10 in both races due to illness.

In the break between the rounds, the pilot of the #54 entry said he has focused on his physical and mental fitness ahead of Townsville so he can regain his run of top five finishes.

"I've been putting a lot of preparation into my fitness. Townsville is a really warm event and we've just come off two slightly cooler events so fitness will be crucial," he said.

"Mental fitness is just as important around the street circuits too because you have to be really alert the whole time. The difference between the top guys is so minute so there is a lot of time to be made or lost."

According to Jacobson, the need to be fit behind the wheel is more vital than ever given how competitive the series has become.

"It's no longer a couple of young guys trying to get into the main game," explained Jacobson.

"Everyone is treating it like a professional series and guys like my teammate Paul Dumbrell, and Cameron Waters are training hard."

The upcoming Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland is the second of three street circuits on the Dunlop Series calendar, with the Sydney 500 on the streets of Sydney Olympic Park in December.

The Dunlop Series teams will face two 29-lap races at the Castrol Townsville 500 - Driven by TAFE Queensland in the fourth round of the Championship. Great seating options and special offers are available with the Granstand ticketing options. Check out www.ticketek.com.au for more information.