Britek strong in first test

Britek Motorsport has completed a strong session at the official V8 Supercar test session at Winton Motor Raceway in northern Victoria.
Jason Bright (Fujitsu Racing) and Marcus Marshall (IRWIN Racing) were part of a strong 30-car contingent that included V8 Supercar Championship Series and Fujitsu Series entries.

In a popular move to open the test to the public, 4000 people attended the test throughout the day.

Sticking to a strict testing plan, Bright improved the Fujitsu Racing Ford to finish the day with seventh fastest time. Bright completed 73 laps, with his fastest time coming on lap 65.

“The best test we have done – no doubt,” said Bright.

“We improved the car throughout the day and we are feeling encouraged heading into the season opener next week in Adelaide.

“We only had some minor issues and importantly the car responded to changes. The track was quick straight away this morning before a brief shower took the pace out of it.

“Then as we put on fresh tyres at the end of the day the skies opened again and missed our chance for a really fast time.

“When we were setting our quick times, we were pretty much on the same pace as the leaders.

“Importantly we got a lot of information out of the day. It was good to put last year behind us and really concentrate on hitting the ground running.

“There’s still lot more to come throughout the first few races of the year and that’s what has us excited.”

Marcus Marshall had his first laps behind the wheel of the #26 IRWIN Racing Falcon.

This year’s car is a former Ford Performance Racing Falcon, ironically campaigned by Jason Bright in 2005 and ’06.

Marshall finished the day in 23rd. The team decided to wait for a late run to set a quick time, but was thwarted by the rain. He ran a total of49 laps – with his fastest time coming on lap #46.

More importantly he worked through a detailed programme aimed at familiarizing himself with the car and team.

“Everything was new for me today and it was important that we concentrated on ourselves and not so much the others,” said Marshall.

“I made a number of changes all aimed at making the car a lot more comfortable to drive.

“From that point I pushed harder. I got a better understanding of the car and working with my engineering group including Greg Foletta and Dean Cowling.

“Jason and I compared notes during the lunch break and both of us made gains in the afternoon.

“With so many cars on the rack we decided to wait for a clear window at the end of the day to set a quick time. However, the rain came and we missed our chance.”

“There’s plenty of room for improvement and we are really looking forward to getting into things next week at the Clipsal 500.”

The Fujitsu and IRWIN Racing cars will head back to the Britek Motorsport headquarters in Melbourne and go through final preparations before heading to Adelaide early next week.