After coming off a season high seventh overall at the last round of the V8 Supercars championship in Pukekohe, Coates Hire Racing’s Nick Percat is using that momentum to prepare for Barbagallo Raceway this weekend.
Percat has fond memories of Barbagallo Raceway; the last time he raced there he qualified third and went on to win his first Dunlop Series V8 race in 2012.
He also enjoys strong local support thanks to winning the 2011 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1,000 with West Aussie Garth Tander and relishes the challenges of the 2.4 km track.
Since returning to Australia Percat has been working closely with his team to ensure his impressive start to the year continues.
So far the South Australian’s debut V8 Supercars championship season has seen the HHA Racing V8 Supercar of Percat regularly in the top ten throughout practice sessions, qualifying and races, culminating in seventh overall in New Zealand.
Nick Percat: “I enjoy going to Perth and being the driver that helped Garth win his last Bathurst means I get a lot of support, but maybe not so much this year.
“I look forward to the longer races and it will be interesting to see if we need to make a pitstop in either of the 100km races on Saturday. I think the Sunday race will be quite strategic, as everyone will be balancing their speed versus tyre wear so it will be great for the fans.
“I am hoping to build on the momentum we got rolling in New Zealand, my engineers and crew are working really well and the car has been put together perfectly just like in New Zealand, so I am really looking forward to getting back behind the wheel and seeing where we end up on Friday afternoon, after practice.”
TRACK FACTSLength: 2.42 kilometresDirection: ClockwiseAverage speed: 157km/hMaximum speed: 252km/hFastest Point: Back straightSlowest Point: Turn 7Corners: 7 (2 Left 5 Right)Most Race Wins: Craig Lowndes 14Most Pole Positions: Jamie Whincup 8Qualifying Lap Record: 54.9898s (Jamie Whincup Holden Commodore VE 2011) Race Lap Record: 55.9440s (Jason Bright Holden Commodore VY 2004)
CIRCUIT DESCRIPTIONLocated approximately 50km north of Perth, Barbagallo Raceway has been operating since 1969, and is one of the longest serving venues in the history of the Australian Touring Car/V8 Supercars Championship.
The 2.42km circuit contains just one genuine left-hand corner, and is notable for its unique surface and vast sand traps. A spectator friendly venue with the esses providing a unique vantage point, to see V8 Supercars at their limit.
2013 Highlight: Last year the venue saw Craig Lowndes become the most successful driver in the category’s history as he recorded his 91st V8 Supercars race win.
EVENT 5- PERTH 400Circuit: Barbagallo RacewayCircuit Location: Waneroo, Western AustraliaCircuit Length: 2.4 kmQualifying Format: One 20 minute, two 10 minute qualifying sessionsRace Format: Saturday - Two 42 lap races (100km),Sunday - One 83 lap race (200km)
TELEVISION SCHEDULE Saturday 17th May Sydney - Noon - 5:30pm Mate & 7Melbourne- Noon - 5:30pm MateBrisbane- Noon - 5:30pm Mate & 7Adelaide 11:30am - 5.00pm MatePerth - 10am - 3.30pm Mate
Sunday 18th May Sydney - 1:30pm - 5.30pm Mate & 7Melbourne - 1:30pm - 5:30pm MateBrisbane - 1:30pm - 5:30pm Mate & 7Adelaide - 1:00pm - 5:00pm MatePerth - 11:30am- 3:30pm Mate
