MARK Winterbottom believes experience will come to the fore when 25 Gen3 Supercars simultaneously debut at the Thrifty Newcastle 500.
Winterbottom, who is about to embark on his 20th full season in the main game and his fifth with Team 18, has long been targeting the new ruleset as a golden opportunity to return to the pointy end.
“The way the rules are designed and the way the car is built, a good car is still going to be a good car so if you have a good car you’ll be fast, there’s no doubt about that,” said the 2015 champion.
“The guys and girls at Team 18 have worked big hours to get both cars ready, and we haven’t rushed it which has been great.
“We’re taking our time and it’s all built in house by everyone here. They know the car and when you build your own car and you have this pride that goes with it and everyone here is so proud of what they’ve built.
“Until we get it on track it’s a bit of the unknown which is exciting for us. There’s no previous form, there’s no team that won the last race in that car, it’s a reset for everyone.
“I’m really excited and I think experience will play a big part here when we roll out for Round 1.”
After four years in Irwin colours, Winterbottom will this year don the branding of sister company DeWalt, with his livery launched last night (full gallery below) at a 50 Years of Waverley Forklifts celebration.
“DeWalt is such a recognisable brand and logo so to see it on our car is pretty cool, the car looks fantastic,” he said.
“The bonnet looks cool with the big Fuchs logo, I’ve had it on there for the last four years so that’s familiar to me.
“Ultimately you want a good-looking car that’s getting good-looking trophies so that’s the goal for me this year.
“It’s exciting to see it in the flesh but even more excited to hit the track with anger and put it where it belongs.”
Team 18 will shakedown both its cars, also including the Hino Chevrolet of Scott Pye, this coming week at Winton Motor Raceway.
