After getting a taste of dirt track action over the summer piloting a Ray Bartlett-owned Sprintcar, V8 Supercar driver Tim Slade is hungry for more.
What started out as a bit of fun in the off season has turned into an adrenaline rushing training camp, and after five races the 25 year old is looking to see what he can wrangle for more time behind the wheel.
Slade indicated to Speedcafe.com.au that he will be speaking to the ‘powers to be’ about squeezing in a couple more Sprintcar races between the breaks early in the V8 Supercars season.
“Last weekend at Simpson was probably the first time in my five races that the racing actually felt like it was normal speed in my head, and I was starting to get used to the characteristics of the car, so it’s disappointing the fun has to come to an end – for now,” said Slade.
“It has been great fitness training and has really given me a workout and an appreciation of the comforts that we do have in a V8 Supercar. When I get back in the car later this month I think it will feel more like a lounge chair rather than a race seat.
“There are a couple of races in Adelaide in between Abu Dhabi and Clipsal that I would love to do to get some more experience, so I’ll be asking the question of what I can fit in, and what the boss will let me do.”
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Slade’s best result on the dirt track came last weekend during a round of the All Stars Series at the Simpson Speedway in Victoria where he crossed the line in eighth position.
“I started 12th alongside Mark Caruso and moved up the order at the start but I then had someone drive into the side of me which took my front wing off. It was then a handful to drive and Caruso went on to finish third, so who knows what could have happened if I’d been able to keep out of trouble,” said Slade.
“Overall though, I’ve had an absolute blast and have got some great memories thanks to Ray Bartlett and his group of supporters.”
