Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has ordered an engineer swap between Nick Percat and Tim Blanchard for the Sydney Motorsport Park Super Sprint.

Percat’s regular engineer Brendan Hogan will move to Blanchard with Chris Stuckey transferring to the #222 Commodore.

The switch has been implemented as the team continues its quest for improved results.

“The personalities with the new line up compliment each other in the aim of producing a better overall result for LDM,” team manager Barry Hay said.

“Although a big call, it’s something that I definitely think the team will benefit from and it was great that all parties including the engineers were happy to take on board.”

Percat, 18th in the standings on 789 points, admits it is a key manoeuvre although he remains firmly focussed on breaking into the top 15.

“Although changing the engineers is a significant alteration, it’s about making the whole team stronger and helping to get the #3 car further up the grid where they belong,” says Percat.

“This is the last opportunity before we head into the endurance rounds to continue to gel and build on all the things we have been working hard on.

“I’m hoping for a solid weekend and my aim is to get my Repair Management Australia Commodore to the pointy end of the grid!”

The South Australian has had some experience around Sydney’s track, including finishing runner-up to Scott McLaughlin in last year’s Sunday race by just .36s, the closest finishing margin in V8 Supercars at Sydney Motorsport Park since 2007.

“It’s a track I’ve had many milestone results at. I love the flow and commitment needed to go fast here. It’s the type of track that requires a lot of patience in a V8 Supercar because the tyre degradation is quite high,” he says.

“Last year I scored my first podium here in a V8 Supercar and had a great battle with Scotty McLaughlin.”

In contrast Blanchard (#3 Team CoolDrive Commodore) will be making his V8 Supercars competition debut at the western Sydney circuit.

“It will be great to go back to Sydney Motorsport Park to see the improvement in the team since the beginning of the season (pre-season test),” Blanchard said.

“I have only raced at Sydney Motorsport Park once back in 2007 in Formula Ford, but I really like the flowing nature of the circuit and think it suits my driving style. This weekend should help play to our strengths.”

After a prolonged delay LDM recently announced that Karl Reindler will partner Blanchard in the upcoming Pirtek Enduro Cup trio of races – Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast.