Garth Tander believes his knowledge of the updated VF Commodore aero and Walkinshaw engines will help Garry Rogers Motorsport hit the ground running this season.
The Melbourne squad commenced the build of two new VF Commodores in early December and has acquired engines from Walkinshaw Racing in a rushed preparation that has put enormous strain on its staff over the Christmas-New Year period.
GRM last prepared Car of the Future Holdens in 2013 before entering into a three-year factory deal with Volvo, which ended last year.
The VF Commodore has undergone an update of its aero package since 2013 which new signing Tander hopes to assist the team in understanding the changes having raced that package.
The former Holden Racing Team driver, who started his Supercars career at GRM in 1998, is also well versed in the characteristics of Walkinshaw engines.
“Under the skin the car is going to be a bit different but my understanding of the VF aero will certainly help the team get up to speed,” Tander told Speedcafe.com.
“Fortunately we are going to Clipsal first which doesn’t lean on the aero as much as other circuits.
“We will be testing at Sydney Motorsport Park (February 21) which is a big aero circuit so we should get some understanding on that pretty much straight away.
“I know the engine characteristics and fuel economy, and given the announcement of the longer races that will certainly help us too.
“From a continuity point of view it is not a bad thing.”
Tander cautioned, however, that his knowledge will only go so far in easing his transition from Walkinshaw Racing to GRM.
“It doesn’t really take out a step of the transition process from Walkinshaw to GRM as the team is different,” he said.
“The way they set the car is different and there is the new tyres to understand, so there is a lot of stuff that is going to be different.”
Faced with the task of building up four VF Commodores, including two for competition in the Dunlop Series, GRM has made impressive progress according to Tander.
Such has been the speed of the construction, the 39-year-old is adamant the cars will be completed ahead of the official test at Sydney Motorsport Park on February 21.
Speedcafe.com understands that the team is not expected to complete a shakedown of the cars before the test.
“The DVS cars are probably a little bit further down the road as they started on them earlier but all the gear is there,” he added.
“I go in the workshop once or twice a week and the progression that has taken place is staggering.
“It blows me away to be honest and I’m fully comfortable we will be ready to go for test.
“I’m really confident and really comfortable with the way that is has all come together.”
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