Craig Lowndes feels he has turned a corner in finding a set-up to unlock one lap speed from his Triple Eight Commodore after a promising showing in practice at Darwin.
The three-time series champion has struggled for outright qualifying pace throughout this season as he adjusts to the new specification Dunlop tyre.
Lowndes has qualified inside the top 10 on just four occasions this season and is yet to break into the top five.
Struggles in qualifying have resulted in a series of impressive comeback drives by utilising his Commodore’s strong speed in race trim.
However, Friday practice delivered an improvement in pace with Lowndes finishing third overall, which he believes is down to work on producing a bespoke set-up at a Queensland Raceway test day last week.
While confident his team has made gains in that area, he admits Saturday’s qualifying will ultimately determine how much progress has been made.
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“I think so there is no doubt we did a lot of searching at the test day in that area, and I think so far it has proven to be the right thing,” said Lowndes.
“I’ve learned you can’t start at the back. In the championship you got to be consistent and qualifying has really been our Achilles heel this year for number of reason.
“We are still trying to get around the tyre and we have tried the Red Bull set up (team-mates Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup) and it doesn’t suit me so I have to have a personalised set up and I think we’ve found it at the test day.
“In Practice 1 we didn’t change spring rate, roll centre or ride height, we just changed tyres.
“For us we have been able to pull the car out of the transport with it 85-90 percent right.
“I think it showed again today that in Practice 2, we did try to search for a bit more speed and we found some things and lost some things.
“I’m not sure how many cars ran a new tyre but the proof will be in the pudding tomorrow to see if we can maintain a top five position.”
Having clocked a 1:06.07s in Practice 2, Lowndes believes there is more to pace to be found in Saturday’s practice and qualifying session.
“I have to say it was an ok lap (in practice), it wasn’t fantastic but like Jamie and the rest of us there is more speed in it.”
The thoughts were echoed by team-mate Whincup who topped the final 45-minute session with an effort 0.04s faster than Lowndes.
“We didn’t get many test days but we had one before this round,” said Whincup.
“We had a good productive day with good weather and it has certainly improved the car which is showing so far this weekend.
“It doesn’t guarantee anything for tomorrow but my car feels good and there is time in it which we will work overnight.”
Supercars will contest a final 45 minute practice session on Saturday at 0925 local time ahead of a 15 minute qualifying (1350) and a 42-lap race (1615).
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