Like a toddler taking its first steps, car #88 took a giant leap into a new world at Queensland Raceway on Thursday.
And the best bit – so far, so good!
Limited to 19 laps, J-Dub’s new baby purred out of the garage for shakedown just after 10am.
With two entries in this year’s Super2 Series, everyone was on hand to see the three cars roll out.
J-Dub found his groove in the ZB Commodore, while development drivers Kurt Kostecki and Brenton Grove gained some valuable lap time in their cars.
Triple Eight Team Manager Mark ‘Dutto’ Dutton said that, despite a delayed start with some early showers, the first run was positive.
“We delayed the start a little bit for some last minute fine-tuning, and also because just before we rolled her out it started raining.
“You don’t want to get a brand new car wet and dirty.”
Sporting a new transaxle in the series-wide move to the Xtrac gearbox, Dutto tells us that it was smooth going.
“The first run-in was good. There are some tight components and things like that, but that’s pretty standard” he said.
“It was a really positive first run with the new transaxle. It feels like a smoother shift – that’s been the biggest feedback.”
Youngsters Grove and Kostecki are in tip-top shape too, and it showed.
“They’re fit and ready to go. They’re keen, they’re eager. Their cars looks immaculate and have performed without fault. Touch wood that continues.”
After some debriefing back at the workshop, the team will work to resolve some minor issues before a full test day with cars #88 and #97 at Phillip Island next Thursday.
“We’re just trying to make sure there’s no bugs in there so that when we get to Phillip Island, we’re not wasting any time.”
