Queensland: Kelly Racing Winton test summary

KELLY RACING BUOYED BY SUCCESSFUL PRE-ENDURO TEST AT WINTON

JACK DANIEL'S RACING QUOTEBOARD

Rick Kelly - #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:

"To be honest I really enjoyed the day and working with Todd so closely on sharing the same car has brought back memories of when we drove together with a lot of success in 2006," said Rick Kelly.

"His seating position and a lot of that stuff is very similar to mine and his car set-up style is also very similar, so as far as an endurance driver pairing I think we are a very strong one and that gives us a good chance to win some races.

"Today was all about making sure that Todd and I are both comfortable in our #7 Jack Daniel's Commodore and ensuring that we do a lot of laps to make sure we don't get cramps on the long stints coming up at the next two events.

"We have been doing a lot of running today to ensure we have got everything right with the car in terms of having a seating position that works for both of us and also maximising our time out on the track to work on the car, practice pit stops and driver changes.

"We've done quite well with all the preparation. Our driver changes are well within the time we need them to be, so that's extremely good.

"A lot of today has also been spent focusing on the car set-up and making sure that Todd and I have similar and consistent feedback and that the changes we make to the car make it faster and improve our package.

"So far, so good for us. It's good to work with another driver in the same car and with us being quite a young team you can really move forward a lot quicker working like that. So today, only being our second full test day for the year, has been extremely beneficial."

Todd Kelly - #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:

"It's been a good test day," said Todd Kelly.

"We haven't had a great deal of new equipment to test today because we tried to get all of that work done prior to the enduros, so I ran the last of the new stuff on my car in Queensland at the last event.

"So today has been all about putting miles on everything - on me and Rick as drivers, the team, etc.

"You always have a little bit of a compromise on seating position, so you have to make sure that you don't have any sore spots or anything like that when you're out there in the car, and that we're both comfortable in the car.

"We've done a fair few driver changes and been able to do a lot of good, fast, consistent times in terms of switching in and out of the car.

"It's those things that are so important and you really need to be comfortable with all of those things when you leave your last test before the endurance races.

"It's not so much about the lap times you can do in testing before the long distance races, although we were quite happy with our pace, it's more about getting everything in place for all the extra things that you need to take into account for the endurance events. Something as small as not quite getting your seat belts done up right can cost you a race win.

"We've got to the point today where both Rick and I are really happy driving the #7 Jack Daniel's Commodore. I'm just as comfortable in his car as I am in mine, so I'm rapt at how we are placed ahead of Phillip Island.

"It's good to have so many Kelly Racing crew here today as we gear up for the enduros and we're really lucky in that we've got such a good group of guys. We were having a bit of a joke around today about comparing our pit stop times and driver changes, all trying to beat each other and out do the others. That sort of rivalry is a good thing for a race team.

"There is a really good vibe in the whole team at the moment and it's certainly the way you want your team to be ahead of two of the most important races of the year and the start of the business end of the season."

Ben Collins - #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:

"The focus of today was the get a better feeling for the #15 Jack Daniel's Commodore, the set-up, make a few changes and basically get a good direction," said Ben Collins.

"We've also done work on our driver changes and other 'endurance racing' things like that, but we will still do more work on that in terms of adjusting the seat belts and improving a few other things when we're back in the workshop.

"With 'two-driver' races you need a happy medium on everything. Even though Nathan and I look the same size he has shorter legs, so that's just one example of something you need to take into account.

"Today has gone really well and I feel really 'at home' in this team. The crew has done a great job with the cars today and we as drivers have kept them busy with lots of changes. Today has given us a lot to think about in terms of how to set the car up, which hopefully will pay dividends when we get to the next race at Phillip Island."

Nathan Pretty - #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore:

"We've managed to get quite a bit of track time in today and sorted a few things on the #15 Jack Daniel's Commodore," said Nathan Pretty.

"There were a few things to change in terms of seating position between Ben and I so we have worked on those.

"It's nice to sit in a car and get a lot of laps under my belt before we head off to Phillip Island.

"We didn't have the best tyres to run on but I think today has given us a good opportunity to look after our own car, as Ben and I as a driver combination, and just focus on getting miles, understanding the set-up changes we are making and how we can make the car go faster."

DODO RACING TEAM QUOTEBOARD

Jack Perkins - #11 Dodo Holden Commodore:

"It was great to get a good test day under our belt in the #11 Dodo Commodore with Dale (Wood) today," said Jack Perkins.

"It's so important to get things like the seat position, pit stops and driver changes all organised before the first enduro event of the season.

"We are a similar height and we're both built like jockeys, so we've got no issues there, we've just got to get used to driving the same car, using the same car set-up and getting things on-track for Phillip Island."

Dale Wood - #11 Dodo Holden Commodore:

"It's been great to get back behind the wheel and it's a very positive start to the enduro season," said Dale Wood.

"The car was really good and we've found a pretty good compromise in the car. We're both happy with the seating position and everything inside the cabin.

"The handling and set-up side of things is going in the right direction. We've made a few changes today and everything worked as we had hoped.

"So I think today was a really positive start and a solid test day ahead of Phillip Island."

HI-TEC OILS RACING QUOTEBOARD

Mark McNally - #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore:

"It's definitely a new challenge with all the new things like driver changes that come into the equation," said Mark McNally.

"Working with another driver on the same car and finding a set-up that suits you both involves a lot of compromise.

"But I'm really happy to be working with a fellow West Aussie in Tony Ricciardello and he's done a really good job testing today.

"I'm pleased with how it's all going and we have worked through a good, solid testing program today.

"We got some good speed out of the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore today and both found some consistency, so it's looking good for Phillip Island."

Tony Ricciardello - #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore:

"We've been playing around with seating positions between myself and Mark and just trying to get a good compromise for both of us ahead of Phillip Island," said Tony Ricciardello.

"I'm looking forward to these events and we've had a very productive day today.

"Adjusting to the V8 Supercar back from the Sports Sedan, I've had to relearn a few things in terms of braking and cornering with the help of Oscar (Fiorinotto, #16 Race Engineer) and Todd and Rick (Kelly).

"We've been making progress all day working on our times and it has been a while since I have driven these things in anger, so I'm starting to really feel comfortable after today."

-credit: kellyracing.com.au