'Super motivated': Pye's mission to help Brown hit back at Feeney
Scott Pye determined to help Will Brown hit back at Broc Feeney
Feeney won 12 races to Brown's two, claimed 13 poles to two in Repco Sprint Cup
Brown and Pye topped point score across both enduros last year
Scott Pye will enter the Ryco Enduro Cup with two firm goals in mind — win, and help Will Brown return serve in the championship.
Broc Feeney has dominated Brown this season, winning 12 races to two, and reeling off a stunning 23-2 head-to-head performance in qualifying.
Heading to this weekend’s AirTouch 500 at The Bend, Feeney has a Finals berth and 25 bonus points in the can for the Elimination Final on the Gold Coast.
However, victory in the Ryco Enduro Cup will deliver 25 bonus points to the winner, something Pye is determined to deliver for Brown should they top score across the next two rounds.
Brown and Pye know what it takes — last year, they won Sandown and finished third in Bathurst, scoring more points than any other driver across the two enduros.
“We've got a real opportunity on our side, because the way the format is, Broc doesn't really have any advantage by winning the Sprint Cup except for the 25 points,” Pye told Supercars.com.
"So, if we win the Enduro Cup, it’ll give Will the ability to go into that next part of the championship with 25 bonus points and on an equal playing field between he and Broc.
“On my end, there's a big focus to do the best job I can for Will and give him the opportunity to have the extra bonus points after the enduros, so he can go to The Finals and get it done.
“This is certainly an opportunity to try and change the momentum in favour of car #1. We're super motivated. I'm pumped. I can't wait to get back in the car this weekend.”
Pye is one of three co-drivers — along with Jamie Whincup and Garth Tander — armed with the luxury of having their main drivers already locked into The Finals, be it mathematically on points or through the Sprint Cup win.
It affords them a chance to have a swing at The Bend and Bathurst, although winning the Ryco Enduro Cup now has added incentive given the bonus points that come with it.
A veteran of 13 Bathurst starts, Pye knows better than most the pressure that comes with endurance racing. However, last year was his first crack as a co-driver since his 2012 debut, and bounced back from a practice crash to help Brown get onto the podium.
Having helped Brown to championship glory last year, Pye wants to do it again, even if the path to the title is completely different.
“From position four down in the championship, there’s a lot going on,” Pye said.
“That's why I say that Broc doesn't have much of an advantage. Matt Payne's locked in and so is Will. The drivers on the bubble are the ones that are really under threat.
“Take Ryan Wood, for example — he’s ninth, and he or his co-driver can't afford to make any mistakes, because he could easily drop out of the top 10.
"But, there's so much that could unfold. You've got two massive races with a lot of variables, like the Safety Car risk and trying to execute when that comes out, as well with the rules that are in place.
“The coey's role is to give it back to the main guys as clean as possible in a good spot to go for some kind of good position.
“Obviously, everyone’s focus is to go out and try and win. If Will can go on to the next phase hopefully line astern with Broc, then I’ll be really happy."
Track action at The Bend Motorsport Park commences on Friday.
