MAMMOTH TWO-DAY PRE-ENDURO TEST BENEFICIAL FOR BJR

MEDIA RELEASE/Brad Jones Racing – Photos: supplied – Pace Images

Brad Jones Racing has wrapped up a mammoth two-day test program at Winton Motor Raceway ahead of the Supercars enduro season.

The four Supercars and two Super2 entries racked up an incredible amount of mileage around the Victorian circuit as the team looked to prepare for the final leg of the racing season.

Co-drivers joined regulars, Andre Heimgartner (#8 R&J Batteries Camaro), Bryce Fullwood (#14, Middy’s Racing Camaro), Macauley Jones (#96 Pizza Hut Racing Camaro) and Jaxon Evans (#12 SCT Motorsport Camaro) at the wheel to get some valuable seat time as the Sandown 500 looms (Sept 13 -15).

Declan Fraser (#8 R&J Batteries Camaro), Jaylyn Robotham (#14, Middy’s Racing Camaro), Jordan Boys (#96 Pizza Hut Racing Camaro), Dean Fiore #12 SCT Motorsport Camaro) all were given the opportunity to put some laps in and practice driver changes over the course of the two days as well as participate in an extensive testing program.

On Wednesday (4/9), Cody Gillis (#9 Bowser Bean ZB Commodore) and Elliott Cleary (#19 Sync Music ZB Commodore) joined the fray with three rounds still remaining in the Super2 category and the two rookies taking every chance they can get to be in the drivers’ seat.

The full squad found value in doing live-driver change practice, brake changes at temperature and simulated pit stops.

BJR leaves Winton with a plethora of data from their long-awaited test outing as they head into the points-heavy portion of the Supercars season.

It’s only now a handful of days before the team sets up for the Sandown 500. 

Andre Heimgartner
 Supercars driver, #8 R&J Batteries Camaro
“It’s interesting doing a two day test day. It’s been quite good just to get everyone comfortable with the procedural stuff. So that side has been good. Obviously Winton is very different to Sandown. So just trying to take what we can from it. But overall it’s been positive. At least least procedurally we sit in a good spot for Sandown and Bathurst.”

Declan Fraser
 Supercars co-driver, #8 R&J Batteries Camaro
“It’s been super productive. It’s good to be back in a Supercar, it’s been too long between drinks, but the team have really worked on trying to get a base set up to roll out of Sandown quick. I think we’ve worked enough to get it done over the past two days. So really looking forward to it. Our driver changes are perfect. We’re in and out of the car, we’re really comfortable with how we operate both Andre and myself. It’s just good to be back with the team and building to hopefully, what’s going to be a really good couple of rounds for them.”

Bryce Fullwood
Supercars driver, #14 Middy’s Electrical Camaro
“Good couple of days here at Winton, it’s been a long time since we’ve tested since the start of the year. So really good to make some big changes to the car in a controlled environment, away from the pressure of a race meeting. And try and get to learn the car a little bit more so looking forward to Sandown next weekend, and teaming up with Jay.”

Jaylyn Robotham
Supercars co-driver, #14 Middy’s Electrical Camaro
“It’s good to jump back in the Supecar, it’s been a while; only having one test day and then the ride day as well. Good to have two solid days testing. We’re just working on the car, working on my driving and making sure I’m comfortable. We did a did a race run and managing the tyres is a key, especially in these races so just working on that. Looking forward to next weekend.”

Macauley Jones
Supercars driver, #96 Pizza Hut Camaro
“Feels like it’s been a while since we tested which is really handy for us. I think it’s coming at a good time of the season, with the four rounds to go. We had a heap to get through over the two days and obviously, back-to-back days gives us a bit of flexibility to not rush things, which was nice. We got a heap of changes in, pit stops – which are pretty vital for the couple of rounds coming up and feeling pretty happy with the car. I mean, Winton’s definitely not Sandown or Bathurst, but it’s nice to be at the track for sure. So hopefully some of the stuff we’ve done correlates. And if nothing else, it’s good to get some laps in the car for Jordan as well and just fine tune in it all in.”

Jordan Boys
Supercars co-driver, #96 Pizza Hut Camaro
“Test has been good. The driver change practice yesterday was really good. I feel like we’re a lot more comfortable with that than last year. Some short running earlier today, followed by some long runs in the afternoon – but we actually feel really strong. Probably the strongest we’ve felt around here. Sandown is always different, but it’s always good to feel like you’re in a strong spot and we learnt plenty. ”

Jaxon Evans
Supercars driver, #12 SCT Logistics Camaro
“Really good to finally get some test days under our belt, and I think they’ve come at a pretty good time. Pre-enduro back-to-back test days are not very common in Supercars, so I think it’s been really beneficial, not only for myself and the other main drivers, but also our Co-drivers. Dean’s been getting back into the swing of things, doing a great job. We’ve been able to work through some processes that are involved in the enduros, like pit stop practice and things like that, but also try a few different things with car setup and direction. Really happy with the way the last few days have gone. Looking forward to the enduros now. I think we make a pretty strong lineup. Dean’s a wise head on level shoulders so looking forward to learning from him but also working together and hopefully having a strong enduro campaign.”

Dean Fiore
Supercars co-driver, #12 SCT Logistics Camaro
“Awesome to be back with the BJR squad. Love working with this group of boys and girls. I’ve learned a lot because the cars have changed a lot since I last drove them, and they’re just so different to what I’m used to. So the learning curve was was quite steep over the two days. But I’m really comfortable now, working really well with with Jaxon and Jules [Julian Stannard, Race Engineer] and Lachie [Lachlan Mayman, Data Engineer] and all the all the boys and girls so it’s great. I’m really really happy this afternoon, in comparison to where I was yesterday morning.”

Super2 Drivers

Elliott Cleary
Super2 driver, #19 Sync Music ZB Commodore 
“I think it’s been a pretty decent day. The track hasn’t been great, but we’ve got through most of the things we want to do today, got to do a few starts. I think we’ve improved the car a bit today. So hopefully by the time we get to Sandown we should be good to go. ”

Cody Gillis
Super2 driver, #9 Bowser Bean ZB Commodore 
“It was a pretty good test day. Me, Elliott and Bonners [Matt Bonniface, Engineer], tried a little bit of a different philosophy. We think we’ve sort of figured out a different combo, I guess you’d call it. We’re probably going to start with that at Sandown I’d say, just to see if it’s going to relate. Pretty positive day. It was a bit hard because the track was was pretty rubbish, as everyone in pit lane was saying today. I think overall, probably a good day considering the circumstances.  Hopefully we can use this setup next week, and as the year goes on.”

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