LOWNDES AND FRASER ON SAME WAVELENGTH AFTER FIRST TEST

By Dan McCarthy

Date posted: June 22, 2022

The first Wildcard test for Craig Lowndes and Declan Fraser has concluded and the two drivers are pleased to be reporting similar car feedback within the ZB Commodore.

Seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner and his rookie co-driver Declan Fraser took to the track at Queensland Raceway today, their first of three Wildcard tests in the SuperCheap Auto liveries Triple Eight Holden.

The day ran smoothly for the pair and they were pleased to report similar car feedback as well as in cockpit ergonomics.

“Today has been really good,” Lowdes remarked.

“We’ve obviously worked really closely with Declan outside of the car at race meetings, but to finally get an opportunity to share the car with him, to hear how he reads the car and how he feels the car is very similar to the way I do, so that’s a big positive.

“Knowing that when we go to Bathurst, we’ll be able to improve the car for each other is invaluable.

“Getting us both comfortable in the car has been our main objective today. I think we’re ninety-percent there, but we have to do a couple of little things back at the workshop once we leave this test day, because you can’t finalise it until you actually drive the car.

“All in all, it’s been very seamless.

“The ergonomics have suited us well, and the car come out of the transporter strong; no vibrations or issues, and our focus was to give Declan a lot of laps so he could get used to the extra grip of the ZB Commodore compared to his Super2 car.”

Prior to the test Triple Eight Super2 driver Declan Fraser had never driven a Gen2 spec Supercar, let alone a ZB Commodore.

For him the day was about getting up to speed and quite literally coming to grips with the ZB Commodore.

“Our testing program went very well all day,” Fraser enthused.

“There’s quite a difference between this car and my Super2 car, namely the aero. That’s been a massive learning experience for me today, mainly trusting the tyres a lot more.

“It’s also a little different in the throttle in certain aspects, but I got used to it after the second run, so I’ve been able to adapt to it quickly.”

Lowndes explained his and Fraser’s rapport with engineer Romy Mayer after just one day is very strong and is excited to see the Supercheap Auto Wildcard team coming together.

“Romy (Mayer, Race Engineer) has been fantastic – she’s a talent in her own right,” Lowndes said.

“She’s been around the team for a long time, and for her to get this opportunity to engineer our car is great.

“She’s calm and she’s getting used to working with Declan and I, but we’re building a really good relationship between drivers and engineers.

“Roland (Dane, Team Manager) has also been out today giving his two bob’s worth – he could never come out to a test day and not have anything to say – in a positive way.”

Reigning Super2 Series winner and Triple Eight main game driver Broc Feeney was there throughout the day to lend a hand and offer advice to his good mate Fraser.

“I’ve had Broc (Feeney, Red Bull Ampol Racing driver) giving me a few tips throughout the day, and he’s been working with Romy on the data and finding little bits and pieces in the data for us,” Fraser said,

“Looking forward, we have Townsville in a couple of weeks which I’m really looking forward to.

“I’ll be in my Super2 car so it’ll be a little different, but any laps are good laps. All in all, we’ve had a super day at our first wildcard test, and it’s put us in good stead as we prepare for the Great Race in October.”

For more of the latest motorsport news pick up the current issue of Auto Action.

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LOWNDES AND FRASER ON SAME WAVELENGTH AFTER FIRST TEST

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