Following a heavy focus on fine-tuning processes since the last round in Sydney, Nulon Racing is hopeful they can build some strong momentum when they head to The Bend for the latest round of the Supercars Championship this weekend (August 18-20).
The #23 Nulon Racing Camaro of Tim Slade and the #31 Nulon Racing Camaro of Jimmy Golding are currently on their way to South Australia in the Nulon Racing Transporter, which left the team’s Gold Coast base on Sunday.
Slade’s best previous result at The Bend is a fourth position in 2018, while he has qualified third quickest twice (2018 and 2021).
“I like the condensed two-day format we will be employing at The Bend –the more driving during the day, the better,” Slade said.
“At the same time, it does mean the workload is higher for everyone in the team, so you really need to make sure you are on top of everything and nothing gets missed, so we will be concentrating hard on that.
“Sydney was my first event working with Romy Mayer as my race engineer and Tailem Bend will be the first time this year at which I have had the same engineer for consecutive events, which I am really excited about.
“With her being full-time with the team we have also been able to work together since Sydney and really dissect what worked and what didn’t at the last round and what we need to improve moving forwards.
“I have had mixed speed and results at The Bend in the past, twice qualifying third and with a best finishing position of fourth, so while we will definitely use the previous visits here as a benchmark for learning and pre-event prep, we will also be keeping an open mind, especially as this will be our first time at the track with Gen 3.”
Golding’s best previous result at The Bend is a 14th place finish in 2022, in what was only his second ever event for his current team after being signed mid-year.
“My trip to The Bend last year was really enjoyable; being my second ever event with the Nulon Racing team after I joined the team in Townsville just a few weeks’ prior,” Golding said.
“Tailem Bend delivers a different challenge to all the other circuits we go to. It really has a bit of everything, so to get the car in the right set-up window for all of the different corners is a challenge for the drivers and engineers.
“When you nail a lap around there it really does feel great though, because of the number of technical corners you need to link up.
“I am hoping this weekend that we can not only better our previous best finishing result but also better our qualifying stats.
“Previously my best qualifying position at this venue is 16th, but with nine top ten qualifying positions so far this season (at least one at every event except Perth), I am really hopeful we can continue our qualifying form and better it with consistency. The racing will really rely on qualifying this weekend as we are set for three sprint races.
“It is exciting to have three bites at the cherry this weekend which allows for more opportunity for success as a team.”
While at The Bend, Team Owner Peter Xiberras will also be taking the opportunity to check out the soon to be completed Dragway at The Bend within The Bend Motorsport Park precinct, where PremiAir Racing’s Top Fuel Dragster will be racing in October at what will be the venue’s first national-level event and the opening round of the 2023/2024 Burson Auto Parts Australian Top Fuel Championship.
“The Bend is a fantastic circuit for Supercars and we always look forward to racing there, and now with the new drag strip about to come online, The Bend Motorsport Park is set to get even better,” Xiberras said.
“I can’t wait to check out the venue while in town for the Supercars Championship, ahead of racing there in October at the season opener for our new Top Fuel season.”
This weekend’s event at The Bend will feature the SuperSprint format, including two practice sessions (10.20am and 12.10pm), qualifying (2.10pm) and race 20 (5.00pm) on Saturday 19 August, followed by back-to-back qualifying for races 21 and 22 (from 10.15am) followed by races 21 (1.20pm) and 22 (4.20pm) on Sunday 20 August. For event information, visit www.supercars.com.au
For more information on Nulon Racing, please visit www.premiairracing.com or follow the team on its social media platforms at www.facebook.com/PremiAirRacing/, www.instagram.com/premiair_racing/, www.linkedin.com/company/premiairracing/ and www.twitter.com/premiairracing
