Toll HSV Dealer Team’s Garth Tander blasted out of the blocks in his new #16 VE Commodore to set one of the fastest lap times in the first V8 Supercar test session for 2007 at Winton Raceway today.
Driving on old tyres in his first serious hit out in the all-new Commodore, Tander set a quickest lap of 1 min. 23.49 – just two-tenths of a second outside the fastest race lap time in last year’s Winton round of the championship series.
The West Australian, who was the quickest of the new VE drivers at the test session, said the VE had been in excellent shape straight out of the box.
He said the car had responded to an engineering set up similar to the previous VZ Commodore’s set up from last year, and consequently had been on the pace quickly.
“It is very heartening to know that we are well on track this early, †he said. “The guys in the team have done a great job on the car, and there is no doubt in my mind that by the time we have finished sorting this new car it will be faster than last year’s. â€
Tander’s team-mate, 2006 V8 Supercar Champion Rick Kelly, will get his turn on the test track tomorrow in the new #1 VE Commodore.
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