Top co-drivers feel no extra pressure in “B” driver role for 2019
Three of the Supercars Championship’s fastest co-drivers have said they are relishing in their roles after all stepping down from full-time duties at the end of 2018, finding drives in top teams for this year’s Enduro Cup.
Heading to the Gold Coast for the first time without their names on top of the doors, Tickford Racing’s Michael Caruso and Triple Eight Race Engineering’s Garth Tander and Craig Lowndes have all said they’re not worried about having to drive around one of the toughest tracks on the schedule in cars which aren’t theirs.
All three were driving as full-time entrants in 2018 but for a variety of reasons found themselves without a permanent seat for this season, securing drives as co-drives for the endurance rounds of which Gold Coast is the second.
When asked whether he felt any more pressure driving Cam Waters’ Tickford machine rather than it being his own car this year, Caruso said it’s the most relaxed he’s ever felt as a racer.
“It’s funny, it’s been a popular question but this is the easiest it’s ever been in my opinion,” the ex-Kelly Racing driver said.
“You go from being in one of the most high-pressure scenarios, you’ve qualified the car… it’s pretty laid back. The co-driver role is honestly easier than the main driver role I think.”
Ex-Garry Rogers Motorsport driver and 2007 series champion Tander said the job is made easier by the trio having experience compared to some of the rookies in the field who are taking on Surfers Paradise for the first time.
“I agree to be honest but the three of us are ex-full time and have a few miles under out belts,” Tander said, sitting alongside main driver Shane van Gisbergen.
“If you were coming here as a rookie to the Gold Coast and got half an hour which turns into 15 or 16 laps, you’d be nervous going to sleep tonight knowing you’d probably have to start the race tomorrow. I’ll sleep well.”
Supercars veteran Lowndes said he would want more track time as co-drivers only get one dedicated, half hour session but the outing gave him a change to familiarise himself with the car and track.
“I’m pretty much the same, though I’d love to do more miles,” Lowndes said.
“It’s a great track and you grow in confidence with every lap you do. You’ve got to make sure the car is going to brake in the same spot, when you turn the wheel it’s going to rotate for you.”
It is likely that all co-drivers will start the weekend’s two races to get their minimum lap requirement out of the way before handing over to the main drivers to close out the races.
