Cameron McConville has admitted to being a little daunted by the challenge of a first solo Supercars start for six years at this weekend’s CrownBet Darwin Triple Crown.
The former Supercars full-timer has been drafted in to pilot the #3 Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport entry for the next two championship rounds at the Hidden Valley Circuit this weekend and Townsville next month.
The team has been searching for a full-time driver for its second Commodore having run Taz Douglas and Matthew Brabham so far this season.
McConville has been charged to help the squad maximise the potential of the chassis, while assisting teenage team-mate Alex Rullo in the #62 car.
The 43-year-old last made a solo start in the series at Symmons Plains in 2011 when he deputised for Jason Bright at Brad Jones Racing.
His full-time Supercars career ended in 2009 ahead of a stint as a co-driver until 2012, before coming out of exile to contest the enduros for LDM last year.
While McConville has been racing in Australian GT and Carrera Cup for Zagame Motorsport this year, he is under no illusions regarding the challenge at stake this weekend.
“I’m daunted, they (main game field) are all athletes in their own right now,” McConville told Speedcafe.com.
“I have been watching either at the track or on television and you can see how hard it is in qualifying. I take my hat off to those guys.
“I’m not going up there making any predictions and I have been around long enough to know we will most likely be towards the back end of the grid.
“My own personal goal is to maximise the set up in the car.
“I’m still doing a lot of racing. Outside of V8s I think I’m driving as well as I ever have, but I know the bar is about five levels up compared to what I’m competing in this year.
“I will have that in the back of my mind.
“I’m not expecting to set the world on fire and I don’t have anything to prove, so if I can maximise the car’s potential and mentor Alex a little bit that will be a successful weekend.”
McConville’s return to Supercars was first discussed in May when he was set to take over the #3 entry at Perth after being asked by long-time personal sponsor and LDM backer Phil Munday.
However, a minor surgery to remove a cyst from his back curtailed the bid with Brabham taking over the seat.
McConville could be set for further outings with LDM after his two race stint having discussed a possible drive for the upcoming Pirtek Enduro Cup.
The Melbourne based driver and Zagame Motorsport team manager partnered Nick Percat at the squad for last year’s enduros, recording a third place finish at the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
“I have a big role with Zagame Motorsport so I have got make sure those customers are ok,” he added.
“I certainly haven’t agreed for the enduros but there is a possibility. I will re-evaluate after Townsville.”
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