DAVID REYNOLDS KEEN FOR DARWIN RETURN

MEDIA RELEASE/Penrite Racing – Photos: supplied

Penrite Racing’s David Reynolds isn’t making any bold predictions for this weekend’s Darwin Triple Crown, though is eager to head back to his happy hunting ground.

The two-time winner has stated that the Northern Territory track is one where he feels truly happy and has afforded him a pole position, win and four podiums from his past four outings.

“Darwin is one of my favourite ever circuits we go too, for many reasons,” said Reynolds, who had his first solo race win there in 2015 and his most recent win there in 2018. 

“2018 was a really good race. I started fourth and was first by the first corner. That one holds really good memories for me. I had the best start I have ever had in that race.

“The track must suit my style. Obviously, the car has to be good when we go there but the track has good flow and I think the past few years we seem to figure out how to get the most out of it.

“It’s also a very relaxed atmosphere and it has a general sense of happiness when you step off the plane there.”

The team arrived in Darwin last Wednesday after a two-week stay in Queensland due to COVID-19 restrictions.

A number of team members, including teammate Anton De Pasquale, then had to isolate on arrival before the NT Chief Health Officer revoked the ruling of hot spot areas in Queensland on Friday.

“Darwin is usually a big shock to us weather-wise as we usually come up from Melbourne, but since we have been in Queensland for a few weeks then we will probably be more acclimatized. It’s always notoriously hot.”

This weekend’s event, the first of a double header will feature the same format as the last round at Sydney Motorsport Park – where Reynolds narrowly missed out on a podium finish on the Sunday. 

It will feature three 38-lap races, although this round the field of 24 will all run hard tyres in first qualifying – as opposed to hard and soft options in Sydney – before tyre strategy returns for Race 13.

“It’s good that as a sport we are adapting and trying new things,” said Reynolds.

“Though the general consensus is that everyone does need to be on the same tyre at the same time to find out who the fastest is.

“The different compounds are quite confusing for the teams and the drivers and for that to be relayed across TV. If everyone is on the same tyre then I think that’s a better way to go about it.’’ 

Once again, the weekend’s racing will see four cars eliminated in first qualifying, with another five eliminated in the second session leaving the rest for the top 15 Shootout.  

Teams will be able to run soft or hard tyres in the two Sunday qualifying sessions. 

The Darwin Triple Crown will take place on August 15 – 16, followed next weekend by the Darwin SuperSprint on August 22 – 23.

This weekend’s action begins on Saturday morning with Practice at 10:50am. Further practice and qualifying will continue throughout the day with the afternoon race starting at 3:30pm. Sunday’s two races will start at 1:20pm and 3:30pm respectively. All times are local NT. 

READ MORE…

• SECOND SUPERCARS DARWIN ROUND DATES LOCKED IN

• SUPERCARS CONFIRM DOUBLEHEADER AND SUPPORTS FOR TOWNSVILLE

---

SUBSCRIBE TO VELOCITY MAGAZINE 

For all our news keep your eyes peeled on the Velocity Magazine website and social media, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for our daily updates and to get the latest edition of our glossy magazine subscribe here from just $55 for 12 months subscription.

GET OUR LATEST ISSUE NUMBER 36 HERE