Yoong 'comfortable' ahead of Konica Series debut.

Konica Minolta V8Supercar Team Shane Beikoff Racing is fired up for Round 4 of the 2004 Series, after a successful test day with former Formula 1 pilot and new team driver Alex Yoong.

After a brief test session last year with Lansvale Racing, Yoong displayed skill beyond his limited V8Supercar experience, lapping consistently within the low 1minute 14 second bracket around Queensland Raceway in his first drive with Shane Beikoff Racing.

"I was very happy with our progress in this test session - the Shane Beikoff Racing crew really helped me settle into the car and I was very comfortable within the car," the Malaysian driver commented after climbing out of the cockpit.

"These are very different cars to drive - nothing like Formula 1 or Champ Cars, but you definitely require the same level of physical fitness and concentration to get a lap time, that's for sure," Yoong noted.

Shane Beikoff Racing was also using the brief test session to shakedown the car, after a major engine, gearbox and differential overhaul within the last 5 weeks. Further to these changes, the team has been working hard at the chassis settings, hoping to extract vital tenths of seconds from the AU Falcon, ensuring that Team Manager Shane Beikoff has been kept busy over the last 5 weeks.

"We've been flat out really, since Winton. We've completed a full engine overhaul, and we're very impressed with the horsepower numbers it was pulling at Queensland Raceway recently," the Daisy Hill based owner explained.

"We've been working around the clock to get the car into the competitive position it is today, and I really should thank the boys - Ashley, Glenn, Shane, Tim, Jason and Rex - we've all put in 100% and I think we'll definitely surprise a few at Eastern Creek, that's for sure," Beikoff continued, who then turned his attention towards the prospects of Yoong in V8Supercars.

"Alex is a great talent - he proved that at our test session, and we're more than proud to help him progress into V8Supercars for the endurance races and full-time next year - he's certainly got the potential," Beikoff concluded.

Shane Beikoff Racing will provide Alex Yoong with his V8Supercar debut at Eastern Creek on 29th-30th May.