Walkinshaw Andretti United has today completed a successful and productive first test day of 2020 at The Bend Motorsport Park, the first official running of the year.
Both Chaz Mostert and Bryce Fullwood settled into their new cars well, as the team got through the majority of their testing programme.
For Fullwood, it was his first time behind the wheel of the Mobil 1™ Middy’s Racing machine, as he ticked off his first test day as a main series driver.
It didn’t take him long to settle in and get comfortable with his surroundings, before working through the testing programme, completing a total of 92-laps across the eight-hour day.
While Mostert had 60kms under his belt from the new chassis shakedown last week at Phillip Island, today was the first day of full running in his Mobil 1 Appliances Online entry.
After sitting atop of the timesheets with the early running, Car No. 25 completed a total of 103 laps, finishing with the seventh best time.
Another positive was the laps both co-drivers Warren Luff and Kurt Kostecki were able to get under their belts in the cars they will share with their respective main drivers. With testing kilometres limited throughout the year, to have them turn a decent number of laps, and get comfortable was a real bonus.
Today’s test carried increased significance with the field getting their first understanding of the new aero changes and new controlled dampers, which the team did a great job preparing for.
Now, we will load up the transporter and head 90kms up the road to the Adelaide Parklands for the Adelaide 500.
Practice 1 takes places Thursday evening, ahead of two 250km races across the weekend.
Chaz Mostert
“It was a real positive day today, and it’s great to keep building confidence in the car.
“We got through a lot of changes today, and got a much better understanding of the package we have.
“There’s always a few teething issues to work through on days like these, but it great to get so many laps under our belt, and to put Luffy in the car as well.
“Really looking forward to the weekend now.”
Bryce Fullwood
“It was great to finally get behind the wheel today, I’ve been hanging out to do some laps and get familiar with the Mobil 1 Middy’s Racing No. 2.
“Overall today was a pretty good day. We got through most of what we wanted, learnt a lot, and I got comfortable in the car, and sorted out all the ergonomics side of things, which is always important.
“I’m glad I only have to wait a couple of days to jump back in and have a steer, really looking forward to Adelaide now and opening the season.”