FINAL QR TEST COMPLETE FOR TRIPLE EIGHT WILDCARD

Triple Eight Race Engineering Bathurst wildcard pair Russell Ingall and Broc Feeney completed their third test day yesterday at Queensland Raceway, just over one month out from the 2021 ‘Great Race’.

Ingall and Feeney were joined by fellow Supercars Championship squad Team Sydney at the circuit, as preparations ramp up for both the Bathurst 1000 and the return to racing at Sydney Motorsport Park next weekend.

The #39 Triple Eight Holden ZB Commodore debuted its new Supercheap Auto livery for the first time during the Wednesday test, as the junior and senior drivers rehearsed driver changes and pit-stops while also making technical alterations.

It was just the third time Ingall has been on track since 2016, after retiring from full-time Supercars duties in 2014.

“This is the third of our wildcard tests and this is more of a logistics type day, so we did a little bit of testing and got some more laps in, which, at the end of the day is the most important for me,” Ingall said.

“You’ve got to remember as well with this team is we’ve got a combination of everyone, there’s a bit of Broc’s Super2 team, a couple of newbies, all the rest of it.

“As much as you want the drivers to get practice the mechanics need practice doing tyre changes, refueling and everything that goes with it too because that’s an important part of Bathurst — to make sure your crew is slick and know what they’re doing.

“The driver change side of it is always an interesting part of endurance racing and an important part.

“It can play even more of a part in this year’s Bathurst to do fast driver changes because we’re going into the hotter side of the calendar — it could very well be 35 degrees in the race.

“We’ve had a couple of little mechanical issues along the last couple of tests we have done but that’s what testing is about.

“The guys at Triple Eight are trying different components in the car and a lot of it is for Bathurst; that’s what it’s all about. Its better issues happen here than on the big weekend.

“So far it’s only been pretty minor stuff.”

Final QR test complete for Triple Eight wildcard – Image: Supplied

Feeney, who finished 10th alongside James Courtney on Bathurst 1000 debut in 2020, felt well prepared despite the lengthy COVID layoff.

“It’s been a great day today,” Feeney said.

“I’ve been able to do quite a lot of test days between the break we’ve had.

“To have our final test day here before we head to Bathurst is pretty exciting and it means we’re getting a lot closer to the date. I’m really excited with what’s to come.

“I’ve noticed I’m getting more comfortable, Russell is getting more comfortable and the team as well.

“It’s an exciting end to the year and what a great grand finale for us going to Bathurst.

The Bathurst 1000 is scheduled for November 30 – December 5 as part of a six-day motorsport event.

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