The Tasman Motorsport-run Sprint Gas Racing team has finally run its long-awaited new Holden Commodore at a private test at Winton Raceway, with veteran Greg Murphy at the wheel.
The new VE had a shakedown session on Monday, followed by a fuller outing today, and, after ironing out a few kinks, tested well, pleasing both Murphy and team boss Jeff Grech.
“Without doubt, this is a good car,” Murphy said, “It's very different to what I've driven over the last twelve or so months, which it needed to be. The initial indication is that it will be a very good race car because we can do more with it. The feel that I am looking for is there, so I believe it's a car that will be responsive to what I want it to do. I'm really encouraged by the potential; we're definitely headed in the right direction.”
Grech was equally as happy with the new Holden.
“We spent [Monday] doing the normal shakedown procedure; making sure everything works, ensuring there were no engine and fuel leaks and so forth,” he revealed, “Today has been a very positive test day, we learnt a lot.
“We've gone to a lot of effort to ensure that everything on this car is better than what we've previously had to work with, because of this it's a very different car to what we've had in the past. With a new car, you're working from a blank sheet, as we get data we'll be able to engineer the car and give Greg the car that he wants. Everyone in the team is looking forward to the next several rounds.”
Murphy's new car, complete with brand new livery, will be officially revealed on Friday.
![Tasman Motorsport will be backed by Sprint Gas for the next three years [pic credit: Tasman Motorsport]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/405600.jpg)
