Gold Coast-based New Zealander Scott McLaughlin got his first taste of V8 Supercar power at Queensland Raceway recently.
McLaughlin completed over 70 laps of the Ipswich circuit with Stone Brothers Racing.
The 16-year-old is now weighing up his future – continue karting, make the short-term step to Formula Ford or take a leap of faith into the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series.
McLaughlin has also began working full-time for SBR.
According to the team, McLaughlin improved every outing and eventually recorded times just over one second slower than regular SBR drivers Alex Davison and Shane van Gisbergen.
Team boss Ross Stone was impressed.
“Scott did a great job and drove sensibly and maturely despite being just 16,” he said.
“He still has a lot to learn about these cars because they are a difficult beast to master but his results after one day were very impressive indeed. He starts work with us full time in January and his first job will be far less exciting!”
McLaughlin, who recently completed a two day Formula Ford test, was equally happy with his first drive of a V8 Supercar.
“Unreal, just unreal,” he said.
“These cars are big and fast and they require respect but I felt really comfortable as the day progressed and the SBR cars are just so good to drive.
“I have to thank Ross, Jimmy and the entire team for the opportunity and can’t wait to do some more laps at some point in the future. I was grinning my whole way around the first lap and went to sleep that night with the biggest smile on my face.”
Speedcafe expects an announcement on McLaughlin’s 2010 racing plans to be made later this month.
