Volvo engine runs in test

On Wednesday, Garry Rogers Motorsport tested a Volvo engine in a V8 Supercar for the first time.

Team boss Garry Rogers reported minor issues, such as a problem with the starter motor, but otherwise was happy with the day’s running and progress of the S60s.

“That went great, it was the first time we tested with a Volvo engine in it,” Rogers told v8supercars.com.au.

“We didn’t have any problems – we had minor things, but nothing really.”

The B8444S engine was developed in Sweden and the team now has one in the workshop.

GRM driver Scott McLaughlin – who has come off a stellar rookie season – was also positive about the engine and the prospects for opening race the Clipsal 500, in six weeks time.

“The Volvo engine is running well, it hasn’t missed a beat,” he said.

“They’re making a few changes here and there and I’m sure they’ll do that throughout the season. We’ve got one over here already, it’s on time, so hopefully by Clipsal we’ve got a pretty competitive engine.

“We know the car’s pretty good because of last year and the new generation V8 Supercar allows us to run pretty much the same gear as we did last year.

“Basically it’s just trying to see what the engine’s like – that’s probably the biggest wildcard of the whole thing. So trying to get that will be pretty interesting.”

Rogers praised his young driver’s ability to help develop and read the car.

“Scott McLaughlin is an absolutely first class development driver and the success of our new generation Commodore cars was done between Scott and our engineering group working together,” he said. 

“As far as I’m concerned Scott knows how to understand a car really well and from what I’m told, Robert Dalgren does also.”

Swede Dalgren was revealed yesterday to complete the line-up for the transforming team and it was confirmed this morning Greg Ritter would return to contest the PIRTEK Enduro Cup with GRM in 2014. 

A newcomer to V8 Supercars, he will rely on the support of GRM and his teammate to flourish in his debut season.

McLaughlin laughed at the idea of being the more experienced V8 Supercar driver in the team.

“I’ve got a year under my belt now, which is obviously not that much, but I can give Rob an idea of what it’s about,” the 20-year old said.

“It’s all new to us – two new cars, two new engines – I just want to get out there and have a crack.”

In less than a month, the 2014 field of V8 Supercars will line up at Sydney Motorsport Park for the Sydney.com Test Day.

Not only is it the first chance for fans to see the cars, but the first proper run for teams. New cars, drivers with new teams, engineering and personnel changes, and limited on-track opportunities means which means the day is incredibly significant, even though a trophy is not awarded at the end of it. 

“Any test is massive in these cars now,” McLaughlin said.

“Honestly, I think as long as we have two cars running, have a good and pretty reliable day, we’ll have a good crack at it.

“It’s probably the best preparation you can look at. It’s important to have a reliable day and try and get some pace out of them.”

The Sydney.com Test Day is February 15 at Sydney Motorsport Park.