TeamVodafone will head back to Queensland Raceway on Friday for a private test session to continue development of its brand-new Holden Commodore VEs.

Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes tested their new cars at Queensland Raceway for the first time today, and the team has decided to return to the circuit on Friday to try and get a better understanding of its Holdens.

The Friday test is a private day, where no other cars, teams or spectators will be allowed on the Ipswich circuit’s premises.

TeamVodafone’s plan to return to QR mirrors the testing schedule that the Toll Holden Racing Team and Bundaberg Red Racing employed – knocking over two of its allocated four test days before the start of the season.

After switching from Fords to Holdens in the off-season, reigning series Champion Whincup said that today’s official V8 test was about ironing out the bugs.

“It’s great to be back in the car,” he said.

“We only finished one of the cars yesterday, and then we’re off to Abu Dhabi in six days time.

“Is it quick? Not really. We’ve had a big challenge today to try and get the set-up right. We’ve still got a lot of work to do.

“All we’re doing today is changing tyre pressure, spring rates, aerodynamics and roll bars – all the little things. The car isn’t right at the moment, but I’ve got full confidence that it will be by the end of Friday’s test day, if not, the end of Round 1.”

Whincup says that turning two brand-new machines into competitive race cars is a challenge the team is thriving on.

“Today proves that it’s not the same car. The challenge of trying to make it competitive is one that’s keeping us going, and probably one that’s going to make us stronger,” he said.

“If we were here doing the same thing as last year, the moral wouldn’t be anywhere near the same in the team. It’s a new challenge, and it’s exciting.

“We want to start the year off strong, but the end of the year is where it happens and we want to make sure we peak at the right time.”