'Ecstatic' Reynolds shrugs off engine misfire
David Reynolds tops Practice 1, teammate Mark Winterbottom fifth
Change of ECU remedies early engine misfire for Reynolds
Team 18 veteran also praises extended practice format
David Reynolds has commended the efforts of Team 18 both in the garage and at their Melbourne base after topping the opening practice session for the NED Whisky Tasmania SuperSprint.
Reynolds’ weekend got off to a shaky start when his TRADIE Beer Camaro developed an engine misfire on his opening laps, however once the issue was solved, his pace was apparent.
The 2017 Bathurst winner was quick to thank his team after the session, saying the practice result was just reward for their efforts in what has been a trying season at times.
“Really ecstatic for everyone. Like, this is the first round in a long time, both cars have been really quick,” Reynolds said.
“Everyone's done a really good job to prepare the cars to get them to here. Everyone's ecstatic. Awesome to start the weekend.”
Teammate Mark Winterbottom finished fifth in his new-look Cub Cadet Camaro, with Team 18 arguably looking like the strongest team after Friday practice.
The misfire at first seemed to be a major issue for Reynolds, who spent several minutes in pit lane without setting a time, however a relatively simple fix was found by both Team 18 and engine builders KRE.
Although the issue wasn’t apparent in the low speed and acceleration zones, it was at the end of the runs in and out of the hairpin that the issue made itself known.
“At the start of my session I had a bit of an engine misfire,” Reynolds said.
"As soon as I plucked sixth gear, it'd make the shift into sixth, but then the engine wouldn't regain power. So, they stuffed around a bit, put a new ECU in, and then it was fine.”
The longer practice format was also praised by Reynolds, who believes it gives the chance for smaller teams to run what is effectively a test session to trial set-ups.
While he admits that it may not be the best spectacle for fans, Reynolds would like to see longer practice sessions implemented at more events to allow for a more thorough program to completed by teams.
“In Supercars, you don't get a lot of test days. So, the longer sessions actually give you more time to plan and try things and re-evaluate things. So, I'm all for it,” Reynolds said.
"The short, sharp stuff, it's too confusing. You're just doing runs, trying to get your tyres in. It's hectic and it's probably good to watch.
"But for our teams, the smaller teams, it's probably not good for testing."
Both Reynolds and Winterbottom will be hoping that Team 18’s strong start to the weekend continues tomorrow at Symmons Plains.
Tomorrow’s track action starts with a 20-minute practice session at 11:05am AEST, before Boost Mobile Qualifying for Race 17 of 2024 begins at 1:00pm AEST.
