Pye on first Porsche laps

Scott Pye will be racing at this year’s Australian Grand Prix in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia and has already had a positive taste of what to expect.

Pye has never raced a Porsche in his racing career that now stretches well over a decade dominated by Supercars, but also includes open-wheel racing in Europe.

He will make his debut at Albert Park later this month racing in the bright BWT colours for Porsche Centre Melbourne alongside previous champions Fabian Coulthard and Harri Jones.

The Triple Eight Supercars co-driver has warmed up for the latest challenge by enjoying a full day testing at Sandown on Friday.

The test day gave Pye a chance to come to grips with all the things that will be unique for him in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car such as left hand drive and paddle shift.

Scott Pye getting a seat fit at Porsche Centre Melbourne. Image: One Nine Media

Despite these fundamental differences to the Supercars Pye has raced for the last decade, he loved the Porsche which “felt natural straight away”.

“I really enjoyed the challenge of learning a new car again. It has been a long time since I have driven something so different and really enjoyed the car itself,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“I really enjoyed it, the tyre especially because it gives you so much grip and feel.

“The car itself with paddles and sitting on the left-hand side was very different, but it also felt natural straight away.

“Sitting left was something you don’t really notice actually and the moment you drive out of the pit lane it all felt normal.

“The team did a great job preparing me and I felt very comfortable and confident very quickly

“I was really impressed with the car because the car has such a great platform and the tyre. It is great on a test day because it keeps on giving you grip 

“For someone who is having their first day in the car it is great to be able to do a long run and learn on a tyre that is not just degrading immediately.”

For Pye the Australian Grand Prix Carrera Cup cameo is a great way to stay sharp ahead of his Triple Eight Supercars co-driving debut with Will Brown at Sandown in September.

The Carrera Cup is regarded as one of the most competitive in Australia and Pye follows the likes of Coulthard, Luke Youlden, David Wall, Garth Tander, David Russell, Dale Wood, Chris Pither, Dylan O’Keeffe, Chris van der Drift and Alex Davison as former Supercars drivers who raced in last year’s championship alone.

Scott Pye talks with Melbourne Performance Centre Motorsport team principal Matty Cook. Image: One Nine Media

Whilst he is still confident in his own ability, Pye is under no illusions about how tough it will be to perform in the intense championship, especially with only one 30-minute practice session on offer to get it right before qualifying.

“I am not just looking at it to stay sharp, I am also going to try and get the best result I can,” he said.

“I am super competitive and don’t want to just make up the numbers, I have the intention of doing very well.

“I picked it up very quickly but I know it is going to be a very steep learning curve with just one practice going straight into qualifying and I am not underestimating the competitiveness of the championship because there are a lot of very good drivers who have been doing it for a while.

“I am coming in with an open mind, knowing it’s a challenge and the intention of doing well but I am a lot more confident now going into the Grand Prix after the test day.”

Overall Pye is overwhelmed by excitement about the new challenge to come later this month at the track where he scored his one and only race win famously in the dark holding off Jamie Whincup in 2018.

“After the test I am now super excited to head to the Grand Prix,” Pye said. 

“Albert park is a track I love and the event itself is always really special to compete at.

“It will be great to drive for a great team and a great backer as well in BWT, I will be proud to represent that brand on that stage.”

The Australian Grand Prix will kick off the Porsche Carrera Cup season on March 21-24.

There is also lots more loaded into a bumper edition of AUTO ACTION magazine, on sale at newsagents and available digitally here.

For more of the latest motorsport news, subscribe to AUTO ACTION magazine.

Latest Podcast: Bathurst 500 review on the Auto Action RevLimiter!

Bruce is back this week after sitting on the bench with illness and a lack of fuel, and he joins Andrew and PG on the Auto Action Rev Limiter as they look at the latest in motorsport.