Murray steps up Supercars prep

Cooper Murray has pushed his preparation for a Supercars debut at Darwin into top gear by testing at Queensland Raceway.

Both Murray and Craig Lowndes enjoyed laps of the new look #888 Supercheap Auto Chevrolet Camaro wildcard around the “Paperclip.”

But the focus was on the youngster as he prepares to make the switch from his Eggleston Motorsport Super2 ZB Commodore to the Gen3 Supercar.

Murray will make his Supercars debut as an extra to the 24-car field at the next round, the Darwin Triple Crown at Hidden Valley.

Murray said the QR test have him a good chance to tick a number of boxes and adapt to the “steep learning curve.”

“Today has been great. We’ve been getting through our program and I’ve been getting used to driving the Gen3 Camaro around,” he said. 

“There hasn’t been much of a difference compared to what I thought there would be – I got used to the car in the first couple of sessions which was really good. 

Cooper Murray enjoying the test. Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

“I got a couple of green tyre runs, some pit stop practices and some race runs under my belt, so I’m feeling really good before Darwin. 

“It was my first time doing pit stops today and they were surprisingly easier than I thought. 

“I’m learning to stop on the marks and hit the pit board which is a steep learning curve, but I’m so glad I’ve got that under my belt before Darwin. 

“Lowndesy has been a big help today, I’m sure he’d want more laps but unfortunately for him I’m hogging them all! 

“It’s been great to work with him and compare data which will only help us improve before enduro season.”

The new look #888 Camaro on track for the first time. Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

Lowndes said he also enjoyed the chance of assessing the slightly revised Gen3 Camaro.

“The day’s been really positive. There were a lot of things we wanted to achieve today which we did,” Lowndes said. 

“For me to get back into the car and get used to what the new Gen3 cars are all about was really important. 

“They’ve obviously had a bit of a face lift since last year which was a really positive outcome.”

The seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner was also impressed with how Murray handled himself and is “very confident” about the enduros.

“For Cooper, in Super2 they obviously don’t do a lot of pit stop practice, so we did a lot of work in that area so he could get used to going in-and-out of the pit bay,” Lowndes said.

Cooper Murray chats with Craig Lowndes. Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

“He’s been doing some race starts, getting some longer runs under his belt and a few tyre saving strategies which he’ll continue to learn at his first solo race in Darwin, which are very important when we get to Sandown and Bathurst. 

“It’s also the first time Cooper has worked with Wes (McDougall, Race Engineer) which is important because that combination is going to have to be strong. 

“Cooper knows this is a step up from Super2, and he’s embraced it. 

“He’s very focused and confident on what he wants to do, and I’m really delighted he’s come on board this year and I’m feeling very confident going into Sandown and Bathurst.”

Image: Mark Horsburgh/EDGE Photographics

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