Richard Lyons will get just two opportunities behind the wheel of Jonathon Webb’s Falcon before the V8 endurance races this year.
Unlike locally-based co-drivers who could drive a V8 Supercar more than a dozen times before the Phillip Island and Bathurst enduros, Lyons will get two tests – the first this Friday at Hidden Valley during the co-driver session, plus another test day at Queensland Raceway on September 5.
Lyons has competed in two V8 Supercars races, driving with TeamVodafone in the 2007 endurance races. He finished with a best result of fifth at Bathurst with Allan Simonsen.
Tekno Autosports team manager Andy McElrea says that despite Lyons’ lack of recent V8 miles, and pre-enduro testing, the Northern Irishman will be a good match for Webb.
“Richard is based in Japan, so coming from there to Darwin isn’t a drama, as opposed to coming to Melbourne,” McElrea told Speedcafe.com.
“He’ll do one more test before Phillip Island, and the reason we’re running him now is that it gives us time up our sleeve if he isn’t comfortable in the car and we can do something about it.
“But we’re completely confident he’ll be able to do the job for us. You don’t get a lot of running in these co-driver sessions, but it will be enough for him to get back in the groove and get used to the unique that the cars need, compared to what he’s been racing (GT racing).
“Geographically, it’s hard to deal with, but the team has picked him because he is experienced and fast.”
After this Friday’s two session test, Lyons will stay at Hidden Valley for the remainder of the weekend to soak up the racing.
CLICK HERE to view the compete list of V8 co-drivers getting laps at Darwin on Friday.
Action kicks off on Friday at Hidden Valley Raceway for the Skycity Triple Crown.
