New lap record expected for sydney.com SuperTest

A track resurface at Sydney Motorsport Park means circuit CEO Glenn Matthews expects to see a new V8 Supercars lap record at the sydney.com SuperTest.

Work at the circuit is expected to be completed next week, with turns four and eight (the hairpin) having been resurfaced, and the 'hump' at turn one being smoothed ahead of the V8 Supercars showdown from February 7-8.

Matthews is hoping to see the best effort of 1min29.2493, set by Craig Lowndes in 2012, lowered -and the full field will have a crack at it on Sunday afternoon in the SuperShootout, allowing each team and driver their shot on the big stage.

"Turn four hasn't been resurfaced before in 25 years, and it's been a bit bumpy, so we've taken all the bumps out of it - with a brand new surface, we expect there will be lots of grip through that corner," Matthews told v8supercars.com.au.

"The same at turn eight -that hairpin is a great corner for passing and there was a bit of a bump in the middle of that. That's all gone; the grip level should be fantastic around that corner as well."

According to Matthews, Lowndes' lap record -set on Dunlop hard tyres - was recorded when turn one was resurfaced, as was the race lap record, held by Jonathon Webb.

"Last time we did a resurface ... we saw a new record created because of it," he explained.

"I would certainly think we would see it with turn four and turn nine.

"Turn four is quite a fast turn,and with turn eight I think we'll see the lap time certainly come under threat."

In addition to the resurface, tyre barriers have been installed along the exit of turn three, where Scott Pye and David Reynolds suffered huge damage at the Sydney Motorsport Park round last year.

"They're all installed now ... we're doing various locations, but the priority was on drivers' left turn three," Matthews said.

"Last year through the round we had very treacherous conditions with the rain and a couple of drivers went into the wall there. So as a result we've certainly listened to the concerns of V8 Supercars and CAMS and have installed tyre barriers all along turn three."

The final work being carried out on the circuit includes installing timing loops at turns five and eight, which will trigger if a driver does not respect the track limits.

V8 Supercars Director of Sport and Operations Damien White believes utlising the timing loops will ultimate produce better racing.

"We have previously relaxed the track limit rules on the exit of turn five, however with the resurfacing project it made sense to install timing loops there too," White said.

"While it will tighten up the exit quite a lot, we anticipate more overtaking possibilities at turn six because of the extra challenge of a good drive off turn five."

Speed bumps at the exit of the hairpin, installed to keep drivers within the track confines, are now gone in exchange for the timing loops.

"The primary objective is to ensure we can accurately determine that the cars are respecting the limits of the track as defined by the line markings," White explained.

"While the speed bumps at the exit of the hairpin were effective, there was a potential of damage to the cars.

"We have effectively used this electronic method for monitoring the position of a car, so when Sydney Motorsport Park agreed to install them during the resurfacing phase it made sense."

White believes the new format for the pre-season test day, including the SuperShootout, will mean the hit-out is more relevant than ever for fans. He was also hopeful of seeing the lap record smashed on the Sunday afternoon.

Click here for more details on the SuperTest and how you can follow the V8 Supercars' first hit-out for 2015.