Building on the winning momentum at this weekend’s CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown is critical for the next phase of the Supercars season, according to team manager Mark Dutton.
The factory Holden team heads to the Top End with a spring in its step following a drought breaking victory at Winton last time out, which was then backed up by a productive test day at Queensland Raceway.
Triple Eight remains locked in a pulsating title fight with rivals DJR Team Penske, who have proved the benchmark squad this year having scored five wins from 10 championship races.
The two teams are expected to continue their on track battle in Darwin having both conducted test days designed to bolster on track performance.
While there has been a four-week break since the one-two result at Winton, headed by Shane van Gisbergen, Dutton is hoping his squad will push on further, benefiting from data gained in testing.
He also pinpoints that having all three cars and crews work together is key in taking the fight to DJRTP.
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“Last year we had a big step up in performance after our test day and the fact we could nail Winton and then have a good test day is really promising,” Dutton told Speedcafe.com.
“We will continue some of the things from the test which is always a risk as such when you step away from your usual formula but that is why we have got three cars, three excellent drivers and three great engineers, so we have got to maximise that.
“It is critical to get Darwin right and build the momentum, because once you have that going it seems a bit easier to the naked eye from the outside and that is evidence from other teams.
“When you are out front with fresh air you look untouchable and when you hit traffic it looks a lot harder.
“Working together as a three car team is super critical and once again the drivers and engineers have stepped that up further. I’m really proud of everyone to be honest.
Triple Eight threw significant resources at its recent test which was overseen by team owner Roland Dane and former Wllliams Formula 1 chief Sam Michael.
Dutton believes the introduction of Michael, who works one day a week, is providing a boost to the engineering group following the loss of Ludo Lacroix to DJRTP.
“Sam is great, it is good to have a fresh eyes and he doesn’t try to over control the team,” Dutton added.
“He respects that his experience is F1 so he has been fantastic with the level of experience of that and his knowledge and philosophies.
“That is more his role then saying to the team ‘go and change the ride height on this or do that’.
“He comes to briefings and even though it is one day a week it feels a lot more than that because he is so keen to contribute and help.
“It has been really good having that new information.”
Although yet to score a race win this year, Jamie Whincup is leading the squad’s championship charge heading into Darwin lying four points shy of series leader Fabian Coulthard.
Van Gisbergen, who has recorded three points paying wins, is 37 points adrift in fourth, while Craig Lowndes is lying eighth.
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