DAVE AND MATT'S MELBOURNE SUPERSPRINT PREVIEW

It was a mega start for Penrite Racing at the opening round in Newcastle, with David Reynolds scoring a Pole and podium place finish in Race 2. Rookie, Matt Payne also achieved some impressive results in his first full-time race weekend with a P12 Qualifying result and a P14 finish in Race 2.

The team look to build on their results for the upcoming Beaurepaires Melbourne SuperSprint as part of the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix taking place from the 30th of March to the 2nd of April.

The duo sat down overlooking the picturesque Albert Park Lake to reflect on Round 1 and discuss the upcoming Grand Prix weekend.

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In reflection on Newcastle, the New Zealand rookie said he was pretty proud of himself for what was a successful weekend.

“It was a long 95 laps on Saturday… but honestly just being there and experiencing a first weekend racing full-time was pretty special. [It was my] first time at that track as well so that was pretty challenging to say the least… I just tried soaking up the atmosphere and having an enjoyable weekend. I just missed out on the Top Ten on Sunday and yeah, we got through it with no damage, so I was pretty stoked,” said Payne.

When asked about his recent rookie test day at The Bend, and if he believed it will help in the upcoming round, Matt said: “I think it will, I think The Bend and Albert Park are similar – flat tracks, pretty high speed, so it was a really good day. We did as many laps as we could, and I think the Gen3 handles pretty well on an open track once you get to stretch its legs a little bit – just having that experience of high speed, no bumps; it definitely helped me.”

David Reynolds scored the first Ford Gen3 Pole position of the year and when asked about the achievement, he said: “Makes you feel pretty good. Anytime you get pole it’s a good feeling – you’re fastest driver on the day – always a good feeling especially in the Shootout and with those sorts of conditions. Shootouts are fundamentally so hard to do… I think we did a really good job…” said Reynolds.

Reynolds made history on the weekend becoming a driver to take pole position in three eras of Supercars.

“…It’s a cool feeling cause I’m only one of 10 drivers – there’s probably only a few of us in the current championship that can do it. It’s a cool stat and I’m proud of it!”

Pictured above (left): David Cauchi, Stephen Grove, David Reynolds, Alistair McVean, and Brenton Grove. Pictured above (right) David Reynolds and Lee Holdsworth

Penrite Racing bagged 2 podium positions and a Pole at last year’s event at Albert Park.

Reynolds said: “My best memory from last year’s event would’ve been myself and Holdsworth on the podium – that was an epic race. I started second or third or something and he started 15th and to see him behind me at the end of the race I was like – did Holdsworth get a podium no way! I was having a party in my car it was so good.

“Anytime you race here it’s fantastic; you’ve got F1, the track layout’s unreal the scenery’s great – I used to live across the road – I lived there for 18 years so I know the area pretty well so anytime I get to race here it’s almost like my home,” said Reynolds.

The event will see most of the Supercar’s action take place on Thursday with 2 Practice sessions, 2 Qualifying sessions and Race 3. Friday will see Race 4 and Saturday will hold the final 2 Qualifying sessions and Race 5. The final race of the weekend will kick off at 10:25 am on Sunday.

“I am not a big fan of the shorter format I like long format racing, but it sort of puts the pressures on the drivers to make moves when they have to move,” said Reynolds.

“It’s a hard track – if you haven’t been here… it’s very fast, it’s a long lap – a minute forty-eight or something – it’s a long time to think about. Fun though, it’s so cool when you cruise down pit lane…just feel like the biggest race fan.

“Thursday’s going to be flat out… if you’re going to come down check us out make sure you come on the Thursday cause that’s when you’re going to see most of the Supercars action,” said Reynolds.

All the Supercars action at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit kicks off at 11:25 on Thursday with Practice 1.