Cameron McConville will make his competitive Supercars return when he teams up with Nick Percat at the Wilson Security Sandown 500.
The former Supercars full-timer has secured a deal to join Percat in the #222 Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport entry for the opening round of the Pirtek Enduro Cup from September 16-18.
The Melbourne squad had a vacancy for Sandown with Percat’s co-driver Oliver Gavin only able to contest Bathurst and Gold Coast rounds due to a World Endurance Championship date clash.
After enjoying a run out in the LDM Commodore at Winton and Queensland Raceway, McConville feels he is ready to fill void for what will be his first Supercars race since 2012.
The 42-year-old has previously driven for the team in 2010.
“I’m actually really excited to be back in a Supercar again to be honest,” McConville told Speedcafe.com.
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“It is something I wanted to do last year and I think it is a good soft landing for me.
“I know Lucas (Dumbrell) quite well and I have driven for him before quite a few years back at Townsville. I admire that the team is still pushing hard.
“Even though Nick (Percat) is a fair bit taller than me we use the same seating position.
“Winton didn’t go very well as I had a few niggling little issues with the car car but at QR it felt good.
“It felt as though I had raced there the day before. It was comfortable and that cemented my decision following that co-driver session.
“I’m a realist and I know I’m not going to be able to go out there and belt the guys that have been doing co-droving for the last three years while I have been on the sidelines.
“I’m quietly confident that after a full test day in the car, which we will do before Sundown, that I will be able to compete against the other co-drivers and that is what I’m there for.
“I would be disappointed if we are not a top 10 contender at the end of the day.”
McConville admits the opportunity could resurrect his Supercars co-driving ambitions for future seasons.
The experienced Melbourne racer is planning to embark on more racing commitments next year after leaving his full-time role at the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS).
“There is no hiding the fact that I have missed it, and if I’m competitive and I sure I will be, then I will be putting my hand up for the year after,” McConville added.
“Providing I’m still racing something regularly next year, I would like to do something for 2017.”
LDM is yet to disclose Andre Heimgartner’s co-driver in the #3 entry for the Pirtek Enduro Cup.
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