RETURNING Supercars veteran Russell Ingall has big expectations for wildcard co-driver Broc Feeney at the Repco Bathurst 1000.
The duo was at Queensland Raceway today undertaking the second of three test outings with the Triple Eight Commodore ZB they’ll campaign in the event.
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Buoyed by their latest laps, Ingall believes 18-year-old Super2 Series leader Feeney will have the speed to make a major splash on the Mountain.
Significant attention will be on Feeney at Bathurst, given he has just been announced as Jamie Whincup’s replacement in Triple Eight’s second full-time entry next year.
“I’d be very surprised if our car isn’t in the top 10 of qualifying, I’d be really surprised,” said Ingall of Bathurst.
“It may be a bit bold but from what I’ve seen from the kid, he’ll stick it in the 10.
“He’s (Feeney) been lightning and we’re not that far away from each other in race runs. I just need to be close to him in those times and that’s my role.”
Feeney has just one Bathurst 1000 start to his name, finishing 10th on his 18th birthday last year as co-driver to James Courtney at Tickford Racing.
Ingall is a 25-start Bathurst 1000 veteran and two-time winner but has not competed in the race for five years, while his last full-time Supercars season was back in 2014.
Ingall though says he feels a lot more comfortable in the Commodore after his latest running.
“Before this all started, I think I would’ve said I was around 50 percent behind the field, but at the moment I’d probably say I’m only 15 percent behind I reckon,” he said.
“By the time we get to our third test day I think I’ll claw a little bit more of that back. The more laps the better. Being up here and being able to do it is an absolute bonus.”
Fellow veteran Greg Murphy is also slated to return via a wildcard, sharing an Erebus Commodore with Richie Stanaway, and is yet to test due to travel restrictions between Australia and his native New Zealand.
The Repco Bathurst 1000 is currently scheduled to take place on November 4-7 but is widely expected to be postponed further to December 2-5 in the hope that the later date will allow fans to attend.
