A different approach to enduros is pairing the team’s regular drivers with experienced co-drivers, giving an even spread of potential to claim a result. This year, WPS Racing has employed this tactic, with former fulltime drivers David Besnard and Craig Baird joining Max Wilson and Jason Bargwanna at the Labrador team. Stone Brothers Racing has also done this with champion Russell Ingall being joined again by 2005 co-driver Luke Youlden, whilst James Courtney will be partnered with double-champion and Australian motor racing legend Glenn Seton.
Two teams have made the somewhat controversial decision to switch lead drivers for Sandown, allowing two championship contenders to remain in competitive cars with experienced drivers. The Holden Racing Team and Toll HSV Dealer Team have switched Todd Kelly and Garth Tander – allowing the latter squads two championship frontrunners to continue on in competitive cars. Despite an emergency meeting of the V8 Supercar board in the leadup to this weekend’s event, no changes will be made to the rulebooks vetoing these partnerships from continuing at Sandown.
With just one extended race on this weekend, finishing in a good position is king. Drivers in high championship positions need to be wary of entries out of the title equation, whilst other entries with two non-regular drivers will be keen to show up the team leaders.
The Triple Eight Race Engineering-backed Team Betta Electrical will certainly be keen to stay out of trouble and possibly take another win. The Betta Electrical lead car won last year’s Sandown 500 with Craig Lowndes and Yvan Muller. Now paired with Clipsal 500 winner and hotshot revelation Jamie Whincup, Lowndes is keen to extend his championship lead with a win.
“The team has dedicated a huge amount of time into ensuring the car is performing well for Sandown, and it simply is the best V8 Supercar I’ve driven,” said Lowndes.
