Hughes aiming to convert learnings into results
Dunlop Series
2h
Jarrod Hughes eyes Bathurst results on second visit
Image Academy driver sixth in Super2 standings
Hughes claimed maiden pole last time out at Sandown
Super2 rookie Jarrod Hughes is aiming to convert learnings into strong race results as the Dunlop Series returns to Mount Panorama this weekend on the Repco Bathurst 1000 undercard.
The Boost Mobile Pole Award winner last time out at Sandown, Hughes returns to Bathurst sixth in the standings, and third-best rookie behind Erebus stablemate Jobe Stewart and Max Vidau.
The Thrifty Bathurst 500 was Hughes' first event in the Dunlop Series having graduated straight from Toyota 86 into Super2.
In a chaotic opening race of the season, Hughes avoided the carnage to claim fifth on debut, before backing it up with a ninth on Sunday to claim sixth for the round.
With four rounds of Dunlop Series experience now under his belt, the 19-year-old Queenslander is now looking to claim his first podium finish in Super2.
"I've got a lot more confidence compared to what I had in February to start off the year," Hughes told Supercars.com.
"Bathurst is such a cool place, but it's also such a daunting place. So to come here for the first round in a Super2 car was a little bit sketchy.
"That was a great weekend actually, we came away I think fifth in my first ever race, and then the second race wasn't as good, but it was still really successful.
"I'm looking forward to it, I've learned so much over the year with Image Racing and Erebus about these cars, and also just how to run at an event like this.
"I'm looking forward to putting that all into play and seeing how we go this weekend."
Hughes says that one of his biggest challenges this season has been adjusting to the increase in downforce compared to a Toyota 86, and trusting the car.
However, a pre-Sandown test day at Phillip Island proved extremely beneficial for Hughes, who promptly put in what was arguably his most impressive weekend of the season at Sandown.
"Just having more experience in the car has given me a lot more confidence in what the car can do and what I can do with the car," said the Erebus Academy prospect.
"That's probably the biggest help, is just having the confidence in the car, especially at a place like this over the top where you need to have that confidence that the car is going to stick and that it can do what you want it to do, so I've built that over the year.
"Aero's been a big thing for me to be honest. Coming from [Toyota] 86 you don't have a lot of aero, especially over the top, you're just flat the whole way, so aero's been a big thing.
"We had a test day at Phillip Island before Sandown, which was a massive help for high-speed confidence. I've been able to learn so much over the course of this year with the amazing team around me, so I've just to try and put it all together.
"Getting that pole at Sandown was a massive help as well, so I think I'd be silly to not want to go and do that again this weekend.
"Considering how conservative I was at the start of the year, we were still quite quick here, so hopefully we start on the front foot, just go as hard as I can this weekend, hopefully another pole, and then hang on to it and get some wins and podiums."
The Dunlop Series hits the track today for two 40-minute practice sessions at 10:05am and 2:45pm AEDT.
