TIM Blanchard has become the first driver to shakedown a Gen3 Supercar, taking the all-new CoolDrive Mustang for its maiden lap of Winton Motor Raceway.
There were sighs of relief all round as the Blanchard Racing Team completed an exploratory lap with its team principal behind the wheel.
Having fired up the engine at 9:38am AEDT, Blanchard headed out on track 28 minutes later.
“It was very good,” Blanchard told V8 Sleuth after completing a further three-lap run.
“No issues with the car so I think it just highlights that not only is the car here but it is prepped at a high standard so it is another feather in the cap for the boys to do such a great job.
“As BRT001 and the BRT team, having a Blanchard do the first few laps was a bit of a sentimental thing more than anything so that was really cool.
“My dad and brother are here with their helmets on their way to race a Formula Ford at Bathurst so there was a bit of competition to make sure I was the Blanchard that did the first laps, not them.”
MORE: BRT reveals first Gen3 race livery
BRT recruit Todd Hazelwood is due to do the bulk of the driving today.
Among other figures in attendance at Winton are BRT’s Super2 driver Aaron Love, Supercars head of motorsport Adrian Burgess and engine specialist Craig Hasted, and Ford Performance guru Brendan McGinniskin.
BRT will unveil its livery later today, becoming the first Supercars team to do so with a Gen3 car. It’s for that reason no on-track pictures have been published as yet.
BRT’s shakedown program is set to ramp up this afternoon.
“No doubt there will be teething issues but that’s the idea about getting here, it’s giving us enough time to iron out the teething issues that are inevitable,” said Blanchard.
“We’d like to come back next week (to test) but it kind of just depends on the job list from today.
“We’ll get through today and then look at what needs to be done and we’ll create a plan for the next step from there.”
