Phillip Island Tyre Test

V8 Supercars Australia will run its Holden Commodore prototype V8 Supercar at Phillip Island on Thursday to assess tyre performance at the newly resurfaced circuit.

Dunlop Motorsport V8 Supercars Operations Manager Kevin Fitzsimons said the tyre ratification test was more a matter of due diligence; and expected no issues with the hard compound tyre at the circuit ahead of the Sargent Security Phillip Island 360 (Nov 22-24).

At the recent MotoGP on the world renowned circuit a series of tyre problems prompted mid-race tyre and bike changes. But other categories that have run at the seaside circuit have experienced no troubles, leading Fitzsimons to a similar outlook.

Thursday’s run will be a full simulation of the race weekend, with a 60km run to be followed by a 100km run with Walkinshaw Racing’s Nick Percat behind the wheel. Percat competed in the PIRTEK Enduro Cup alongside Garth Tander in the #2 Holden Racing Team Commodore.

V8 Supercars General Manager – Motorsport Damien White said it was about being proactive.

“Dunlop remains confident, yet we would be unwise to head into a Championship event without having done this validation. If an anomaly presents itself it allows for the opportunity to consider the options in advance,” White said.

"By using the prototype and plugging in Nick Percat we eliminate any perceptions of advantage of using a Championship car or driver. Nick was involved in the early development of the new generation car and with his recent race kilometres we know he will provide accurate feedback."

With the resurfacing of the circuit, it is expected the V8 Supercars will clock faster times than in previous years.

“I’m looking forward to what Phillip Island is like now it’s been resurfaced,” Lockwood Racing’s Fabian Coulthard told v8supercars.com.au.

“It will throw up a few variables … every category has gone a considerable amount faster. I’m expecting V8 Supercars to be the same.”

The Championship battle is heating up as the final event gets closer, with the top four drivers separated by just 121 points, with a maximum of 300 awarded at the Sargent Security Phillip Island 360.

Leaders and Red Bull teammates Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup are separated by just six points heading into the event.