Triple Eight drivers positive after key test

All Triple Eight drivers have walked away from the critical pre-enduro test day at Queensland Raceway in a positive frame of mind.

In 2024 the team will field two new combinations in Will Brown/Scott Pye and Craig Lowndes/Cooper Murray, while Broc Feeney and Jamie Whincup remain in car #88.

Each of the six drivers were delighted with how the test went under sunny skies at Ipswich.

This is vital with Triple Eight uncharacteristically heading into the enduros with no wins from the last three rounds.

However, the team always rises for the enduros having won the last two Bathurst 1000s and three Sandown 500s.

Joining championship leader Brown is Pye, who feels in a good spot ahead of his first endurance season as a co-driver since 2012 with in a good frame of mind.

“I feel confident now getting this test day under my belt,” he said.

“We’ve got plenty of laps in, got a good race run under my belt and then focused on some speed as well.

“We haven’t turned a lap in the race yet, but everything feels promising. 

“Driver changes practice is good. We fit in the same seat and that always makes things a lot easier. So, everything has been smooth.”

Scott Pye testing the #87 Triple Eight Camaro at Queensland Raceway. Image: Supplied

Whincup is back alongside Feeney, who is determined to regain ground in the championship and defend his Sandown 500 title.

For the seven time champion, it was a timely chance to regain the feel of seat time having not done any racing since the 12 Hour.

“I started the day a little bit underdone, just needed more laps in the car,” Whincup admitted. 

“But Marty’s (Martin Short, #88 Race Engineer) has done a good thing for me, and gave me quite a few laps today, which is fantastic. 

“A real opportunity to feel the car and to get comfortable, so yeah, I feel quite good going into Sandown that I’ve done enough laps and I’m feeling pretty comfortable.”

Fan favourite Lowndes is gearing up for yet another endurance campaign in the Supercheap Auto wildcard and is really pleased with how the #888 Camaro has been performing.

“The actual testing of the car has been sensational,” Lowndes said. 

“Both Cooper and I have been reading the car the same and responding the same. 

“We like the car the same, which is even better, so those are massive positives from today. 

“I’m confident about what we’ve got out of today, and looking forward to getting to Sandown.”

Having made his solo Supercars debut at Darwin and secured his full-time future, Murray is in a good spot coming to Sandown.

“I’m ready to crack on with Sandown,” he said. 

“I’m enjoying the improvement in myself, especially after having more laps in the car at Darwin. 

“I feel a lot more comfortable than I was heading into Darwin than for Sandown next weekend, which is really positive. 

“Me and Craig were able to get through some good driver change practices, so we feel quite comfortable with them as well. 

“I’m honestly just looking forward to enjoying my first Supercar endurance race.”

Triple Eight aims to carry on its Sandown 500 dominance on September 13-15.

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