The endurance season has got off to a strong start for the Car No.1 Red Bull Racing Australia pairing of Jamie and Paul Dumbrell, as they topped the time sheets for the day’s practice sessions.
JDub and his fellow main game drivers took the reins for the today’s opening practice session, the five-time series champ setting the fastest lap of the day – a 1:09.1927. Meanwhile, Craig set the 15th fastest time with a 1:10.0640.
The next two practice sessions saw PD and Richo jump behind the wheels of the Red Bull Holdens, which saw them finish third and 11th in Practice Two, and second and 13th in Practice Three respectively.
“It was a pretty straight-forward day for us because it was mostly about the co-drivers,” said Jamie. “We’re pleased to be at the top of the timesheet and the car is in the window but we’ve still got a lot of work to do before Sunday.
“My co-driver Paul and I have been mates for a long time and it’s our third year paired together and he’s in great shape so hopefully we see his best.
“Sandown has been kind to us in the past, not that it guarantees anything this weekend, and we’ll take that confidence with us, but trying to finish the 500km is a feat in itself and then top that with intermittent conditions, it makes for an exciting race.”
Lowndesy’s keen to sink his teeth into the next three rounds, with the Sandown 500 marking 20 years since his debut in the category: “It’s exciting to be here at the start of the endurance season, finally.
“The car is working really well and, as always, we’re still looking for speed, but the balance isn’t too bad. We know that it’s going to look after its tyres so I’m pretty pleased.
“It’s obviously a big day tomorrow with one more practice session and the two qualifying races for the big race on Sunday.
“I’m confident in my partnership with Steve, we’ve known each other for a long time so we’re almost like an old married couple. I’ve got all the faith in him and we’re both looking forward to Sunday’s race.”
Tune in tomorrow for qualifying from 12.15pm EST, followed by the two qualifying races. Click here for TV schedules.
