Bruce Henley is campaigning a three-car Mazda RX-8 team in the Kerrick Sports Sedan Series this weekend after the recent arrival of his latest two ex-Grand-Am machines.
The Victorian debuted his first former Dempsey Racing entry in the Sports Sedan class earlier this year ahead of a planned three-car attack on the 2015 Bathurst 12 Hour.
Dan Vereker and John Perkins, both former rivals of Henley in Improved Production, are steering the two new cars at the Phillip Island meeting.
“I thought we are going to take them to the track somewhere, so we might as well come down here and put a couple more cars on the grid for Kerrick Series and have a bit of fun, and maybe Dan can push me into driving a bit quicker,” explained Henley.
“It should be good to get a bit more of a comparison and feedback between the three cars. We have only had them two weeks ‘off the boat' and we have prepared them as best we can, but you only find the things that brake on the track.
“There wasn't a lot we had to do to get them ready to transition from America to racing here, just a couple of little things to comply with CAMS regulations.
“We obviously did the gear ratios to suite the track, changed the oil and oil filter, bled the brakes and checked it over, and that was about it.
“As far as my own car, it should be better suited to this track than some of them being a more flowing track, but it will still lack horsepower compared to the Tony's (Ricciardello) and Darren's (Hossack) of the world.
“For me it I can get through a weekend and drive it on the trailer and take it home that would be good. The car could maybe go quicker with a younger, better driver in it but if I am paying the bills I am sure going to driving the thing!” laughed Henley.
“It has always been about going out there and having 15 races, 15 finishes and 15 lots of fun, so if I can get through the weekend without problems I will be happy.”
A 15 car field has entered for this weekend's penultimate round of the Sports Sedan Series.
The Kumho V8 Touring Car Series, Formula 3 Australian Drivers' Championship, GT3 Cup Challenge, Australian Sports Racer Series, Radical Australia Cup, Super Six Touring Car Series and Australian Superkarts are also on the packed Shannons Nationals program.