Rookie driver gets Bundy laps at QR

Fujitsu V8 Series rookie Nick Percat will get his first laps in a V8 Supercars Championship Series session next weekend at Queensland Raceway.

The Walkinshaw Racing-supported driver will steer Andrew Thompson’s #10 Bundaberg Red Racing Commodore VE in the rookie/endurance driver sessions on Friday morning.

The reigning Formula Ford Champion regularly drives the #222 Jay Motorsports Commodore VZ in the Fujitsu V8 Series.

Percat’s stint in Thompson’s car is likely to be the first of a few stints in the car this year. The same rookie/endurance driver session will be held at Winton Raceway (May 14), and Thompson might even get his maiden start in the Championship Series at Phillip Island in September alongside Thompson.

At this point, Walkinshaw Racing has secured the services of Cameron McConville, David Reynolds and Craig Baird for the two races at Phillip Island and Bathurst. V8 international Ryan Briscoe will team up with the squad at Bathurst, but due to a scheduling clash, can’t make the Phillip Island race. Briscoe was selected by the Toll Holden Racing Team to race at the Gold Coast 600.

This leaves the four-car team searching for one driver for Phillip Island, and Percat’s name has been mentioned as a possibility alongside Thompson …

At the Ipswich track next weekend, look for McConville to drive Garth Tander’s #2 car, Reynolds to drive Will Davison’s #22 and Baird to steer Fabian Coulthard’s Bundaberg Red #24 racer. This is the likely, although unconfirmed, seats that they will fill in the endurance races.

Other notable rides include Mark Noske’s place at Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport. Noske will test with Dumbrell early next week at Winton before getting more seat time at QR, thanks to his nomination on the session. Noske is expected to secure that ride in the #30 Gulf Western Oils Commodore alongside rookie Daniel Gaunt.

Below is the entire list of drivers getting seat time at Queensland Raceway next weekend ahead of the City of Ipswich 300.