TOURING: Chris Delfsma Easter Creek preview

Expectations are high for Chris Delfsma at this weekend's fourth round of the Shannons V8 Touring Car National Series at Eastern Creek on September 11-12.

The Hazelbrook realtor has been working overtime to hone his skills and further develop his Century 21 Ford Falcon AU in anticipation of solid results for the fledgling team. "I'm really happy with my progress to date driving the former V8 Supercar, however I am also under no illusion that there is still a way to go.

"Every time I drive the car, my team find new levels of grip and braking performance," he said after a productive test day at the track last Thursday. "I must thank (former Australian Touring Car Champion) John Bowe for his input during the test -- he has done a sterling job assessing the car and improving my performances in it," Delfsma added.

The former Production Car racer debuted his ex V8 Supercar in the Shannons V8TCNS in late June at Winton in Victoria and his transition even exceeded his own expectations, finishing eighth overall.

"For his first time in one of these cars, Chris put in an outstanding effort and I really think he surprised a few people," Warren Davies of Howard Racing commended. "He really applied himself well, leant a lot in the wet and will only get better and better."

So now the focus turns to Eastern Creek with private (sanctioned) practice on this Friday to begin the process off shaving the tenths of a second here and there. "If I can enact the exact plan I have no doubt I can be competitive at this race meeting," Delfsma declared. "It's only more seat time that will hold me back as every time I get in the car we are making progress.

"I love driving this car, I feel totally at home and comfortable -- it's nice to know that it is up to me to make the package complete and not the brand of car that is under me -- as is the case in Production Cars, he concluded.

-source: cd