Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport has split its testing duties for its #3 entry between Aaren Russell and Matt Chahda at Sydney Motorsport Park as the squad evaluates its options for the seat.
The identity of the Melbourne squad’s second driver is the only position yet-to-be confirmed on the Supercars grid after CAMS denied Chahda a Superlicence.
Chahda was officially announced as LDM’s second driver at the Supercars season launch in Adelaide earlier this month.
Russell received a call late last night from the team to test the #3 Commodore alongside Chahda.
The Novocastrian driver is believed to be among those in the frame to secure the seat with Chahda expected to drive for LDM in the Dunlop Super 2 Series.
An LDM spokesperson confirmed to Speedcafe.com that the test will go some way in deciding the team’s line up at the Clipsal 500 season opener.
Russell has spoken to LDM about securing the full-time drive but stressed a deal is yet to be secured.
After receiving the shock call up, the 25 year-old, who drove for the squad in last year’s Pirtek Enduro Cup, felt the test opportunity was too good to decline.
“It is a bit of surprise to be here,” Russell told Speedcafe.com.
“We haven’t got anything locked away and it was a last minute phone call to come and do some laps in the car to make sure its alright for whoever drives it at Clipsal.
“If someone offers you a chance to drive a Supercar you don’t say no.
“It all comes down to budget and sponsors and it is such a tough call.
“We will just have to wait until Clipsal to see whose name is on the side of the car.
“We have spoken to the team and there has been a lot of discussion, but there is nothing on the table at the moment.”
“It is probably a bit late now,” Russell added when asked of the team’s chances of making the grid.
“We were pretty in depth with it all but a few things happened which has pushed the whole process back.
“Clipsal is only 10 days away but you never know.
“We have the Newcastle race this year and it would be such a shame to be a Novocastrain driver and not be able to do that in the main series.”
Meanwhile, Chahda has not given up hope of landing the Supercars drive despite being blocked by CAMS.
However, the second tier Supercars regular admits a Dunlop Super 2 Series drive would not be a bad outcome.
“Either way I will be with LDM whether it is Supercars or the Dunlop Super 2 Series,” Chahda told Speedcafe.com.
“I’m not shattered or heartbroken I’m just excited to go racing.
“I haven’t heard anything of any movement on the CAMS Superlicence.
“The team is dealing with most of that and we are just staying out of it.”
The LDM entries of teenager Alex Rullo and Chahda/Russell are running plain black liveries at today’s test.
Discussion about this post