Fabian Coulthard has helped give DJR a flying start to the season.
SUPERCARS legend Russell Ingall says Brisbane powerhouse Triple Eight Race Engineering has been rattled by the emergence of cross-town rivals DJR Team Penske.
DJR drivers Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin will head into next weekend’s Watpac Townsville 400 as the championship leaders at the halfway mark of the series.
Triple Eight duo Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen are next in line and within striking distance of continuing Red Bull Holden’s stranglehold on the championship.
Team boss Roland Dane’s Triple Eight operation on Brisbane’s northside has been the undisputed king of the sport in the past decade, winning seven of the past nine championships.
Scott McLaughlin celebrates his win at Hidden Valley in June.Source:AAP
DJR’s Coulthard and star signing McLaughlin were expected to challenge Triple Eight for this year’s championship, but they have arguably surpassed expectations to be leading.
Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom is the only driver to have taken a title off Triple Eight in the past six years but 2005 champion Ingall said there was now a new kid in town.
“All of a sudden Penske has rolled into town and said ‘cop this, we’ve got a lot bigger chequebook’,” Ingall said.
“Having a serious competitor (has affected Triple Eight).
“They have done a great job and always had fast cars and fast drivers. They’ve had the luxury of having the advantage.
“They are at a stage like everyone else where they take a punt sometimes on setups because they’re trying to get that last little bit to stay in the game.
“There’s nothing wrong with their driver talent. Shane is a freak and Whincup is no slouch either.
“They’ve been challenged and so far DJR Team Penske has had it over them.
“They are still a bit random and up-and-down with their performances which is unusual.”
Ingall said one of the major factors in DJR’s rise was the team’s decision to poach highly-regarded engineer Ludo Lacroix, who oversaw Craig Lowndes’ operations last year.
Lowndes, a six-time Bathurst champion, said Triple Eight was working hard to get back to the top of the standings.
Shane Van Gisbergen has a bit of work to do to get back into the title race.Source:Getty Images
“There is no doubt DJR Team Penske are the form team at the moment,” he said.
“They have shown great consistency which is something that has eluded them in the past. They have definitely stepped up and are the benchmark at the moment.
“We’re working very hard behind the scenes to make the cars faster and stronger and you’re starting to see the proof of that.
“Roland is very passionate about the sport and when we’re performing like this he is never too happy.
“We’re working really hard behind the scenes to improve every element of the car.
“It’s been great to have competition like we’ve got through Team Penske.”
Lowndes, currently sitting equal sixth, said he was determined to win his first race on the Townsville street circuit next weekend.
“We’ve had great success here in the past, both Shane and Jamie,” he said.
“It’s a track where I haven’t stood on the top step (of the podium). I’d like to try and rectify that if I can.”
The Watpac Townsville 400 runs July 7-9 and is the seventh round of the Supercars Championship.
*Every practice, qualifying session and race from the Townsville 400 live and ad-break free on Fox Sports.
Originally published as DJR arrival leaves big gun stuck in first gear
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