Since we last saw co-drivers in the V8 Supercars during the practice sessions at the Sucrogen Townsville 400, there have been some changes and additions to the line-up.
Many co-drivers have spent more time in their respective main game cars at test days since the last event, with Red Bull Racing Australia, Erebus Motorsport V8, Dick Johnson Racing and Ford Performance Racing running all co-drivers at their home test tracks at Queensland Raceway and Winton Raceway (FPR) ahead of the two events at those two circuits.
Brad Jones Racing also ran at Winton, but with two of its three co-drivers (though Andrew Jones didn't steer the #8 Team BOC Commodore); TEKNO tested in Queensland and confirmed its international co-drivers will not be present until the Sandown 500.
While Russell Ingall's co-driver to steer the Supercheap Auto Holden Commodore is yet to be revealed – he didn't know the name when talking to v8supercars.com.au earlier this month, but had been told he would be happy about the pairing – Holden Racing Team has confirmed Greg Murphy would in fact run with James Courtney. Courtney responded to the news by saying he felt this year was his strongest ever chance to win at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000. The 2010 V8 Supercars Champion is the only driver of the four at HRT not to have won at the Mountain, with 2011 winner Nick Percat now to slot in alongside Garth Tander.
Tony D'Alberto Racing – which had previously announced Percat – has now confirmed it would be Jonny Reid to partner D'Alberto. BJR and Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport are yet to confirm names, though Paul Morris will drive one of the LDM cars.
Some drivers are cross-entered this weekend, meaning they can run in the team's other car during the sessions today.
Today at the Coates Hire Ipswich 360, only a team's additional driver can run the first 30 minutes of each of the two 75-minute practice sessions. At the time of the announcement of this format, V8 Supercars General Manager – Motorsport Damien White said the compulsory 30 minutes would be valuable for both teams and fans looking to get an indication of form heading into the prestigious Endurance Cup.
Below is the updated list of co-drivers. Practice One begins at 1.15pm AEST.