V8 Supercars endurance co-drivers will have one of their first opportunities to drive with their teams at Phillip Island next weekend.
After last month's decision to add Eastern Creek to the V8 calendar and move Winton's event to November, V8 Supercars Commission has approved the additional drivers to take part in on-track activity in Friday's ‘Practice Zero.'
‘Practice Zero' will be held on Friday (May 18) with the 30 minutes session to begin at 1140.
Additional co-drivers will also be permitted in Friday practice at Hidden Valley, Townsville and Queensland Raceway.
It is expected that most V8 teams will utilise the session to give its Sandown and Bathurst drivers some miles in their races cars – many of which will be having their first laps with their new teams.
One of those drivers will be Jack Perkins, who will make his debut with Garry Rogers Motorsport this year.
GRM has not confirmed who Perkins and fellow GRM enduro driver Greg Ritter will be paired with (Alexandre Premet or Michael Caruso), but Perkins says he is pleased to be given an early start with his new team.
“Any laps you can get is good, and it's come a bit sooner than we thought,” Perkins told Speedcafe.com.
“All the co-drivers raced there last year, so it's a good opportunity to drive some good laps around a great track.
“Robbo (Michael Caruso) had some solid results at Barbagallo so I'm really looking forward to driving one of the Fujitsu/GRM cars and working with the team for the first time. It's a bit like my first day of school – new team, new car around a high speed circuit. I can't wait to get into it.”
The Phillip Island 300 will be held on May 18-20.