Winton: Hi-Tec Oils Racing preview

WOOD HAPPY TO HIT HIS TEST TRACK

Hi-Tec Oils Racing driver Dale Wood is happy to be getting back to familiar territory in this weekend's third event of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Winton Motor Raceway in rural Victoria this weekend.

Wood, who is just two championship events into his rookie season in the top level of V8 Supercar competition, is looking forward to the Winton event, which is not only at the team's test track but also the first permanent circuit of the season.

The Victorian has his sight's set on two consistent finishes at Winton, but a lot of the attention will also be on Dunlop's new soft compound 'option' tyre.

Drivers will have one set to use at a time of their choice in either one of this weekend's two races. For Wood, he sees the strategy involved in this decision as crucial, but also sees the cold weather and potential rain as other factors in this weekend's pit strategy.

WHAT DALE HAD TO SAY ...

Dale Wood - #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore:

"It's good to be going away from these concrete jungles," said Wood.

"Also, of the three places we've been to so far, two of them I wasn't familiar with at all.

"So it's good to be going back to a place where I've done plenty of miles in Winton. It's a purpose built race track and it is also our test track.

"It's going to be an interesting situation with the new softer compound tyre. I think everyone is a little unsure what to do with that.

"At the moment we are going to get to the event with our plans in mind, but we will also have to watch what the weather's going to do.

"We really have to try and use these supersoft tyres in the best possible way to make the most of the strategy advantage they bring. So it will be interesting for every driver and team.

"It just takes time to come to terms with the main game, how you work with a new team and also just getting familiar with all the guys that are working on the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore.

"So far the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore has been fantastic and it's been very reliable, which has allowed me to keeping learning and we can keep building on that this weekend at Winton and take another step forward."

-credit: h-tor