BJR Run Down: Gen3 enduro reliability, Sandown preview and heading back to NZ
The BJR Run Down podcast turns its attention to the first enduro season of the Gen3 era, with teams rolling into Sandown Raceway for the 500 this week.
The return of the classic 500 to Sandown in Melbourne is eagerly anticipated, and with the dumping of Compulsory Pit Stops, the game is wide open.
Engineers have a lot to play with, with tyre-life possibly dictating strategy rather than any mandated stop windows, the BJR Run Down hosts discuss the implications of this.
Macauley Jones predicts that with the larger fuel window because of the new fuel tank in Gen3, that’s going to make a big difference with teams not really sure how this will unfold over the race.
Reliability is also at the forefront of the discussion, Jones and BJR General Manager Chris Westwood chat through what to expect during the 500km precursor to the Bathurst 1000.
Coming fresh out of a test day at Winton Motor Raceway Macauley Jones notes that brake warping may be a factor at Sandown, the long fuel drops may influence hotspots on the brakes which in turn could be a ‘big problem’ according to Jones.
The pair also discuss heading back to NZ with the addition of Taupo Motorsport Park to the 2024 Supercars Championship calendar and the category’s visit to the North Island circuit.
Heading into Sandown, Jones pairs up with fellow-Albury local Jordan Boys, someone who he’s been friends with since childhood.
The two are close on and off track and it makes for a thriving co-driver relationship, Jones chats about how important that balance is.
Supercars rolls out on track at Sandown this Friday at 10:45am local time for the first practice session of the weekend.