Max Wilson's lap of Sandown Raceway.

Shell Helix Racing driver Max Wilson describes a lap of Sandown Raceway - venue for next weekend's ninth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series:

"Propelled by the awesome power of the V8, you're pulling sixth gear, reaching almost 260km/h along the front straight at Sandown.

"Sticking slightly to the left because of the bumps, you're hard on the brakes 150 metres from the corner, dropping back to third gear into turn one.

"Coming through the corner you avoid the inside kerb which wants to launch the car on to two wheels and slow your exit out of the corner. Nailing the accelerator to get out of the corner fast, you watch for the outside ripple strip which waits to catch you as you exit.

"With the first turn fading in the rear-vision mirror, your concentration quickly shifts to turn two. A good run and you need to slot briefly into fourth so you aren't on the rev-limiter for too long. Jump on the brakes and skip back to second gear as you turn into the right-left chicane.

"Travelling at around 100km/h, you enter turn three at around 70km/h, careful not to brake too deep - go in too hard and too hot and your exit is slow for the run down the back straight where you lose a major passing opportunity into the next turn.

"Revving at 7500, working your way up through the gearbox and reaching over 265km/h in top gear, there's a slight kink that can easily be taken flat in a V8 Supercar.

"You brace yourself for the fast left-hander, turning in as smooth as you can to keep up as much corner speed as possible. Using the ripple strip, you feel the car dance through the bend as the inside wheels get quite light... the more road you use the better.

"Powering up to Dandenong Road corner, you jump hard on the brakes and slam it back into second before jumping back onto the power for a sprint down to the right-hander that makes up turn eight. You stay on the right side of the road and go through the corner slower than you need to in order to set up a good run into the final turn on to the front straight.

"Then the short hop to turn nine, a little touch on the brakes, keeping to the right side of the road to avoid the bumps on the pit straight. You put your foot down and make the most of the Falcon's power across the line."