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Volvo Polestar Racing heads to the second V8 Supercars Championship event of 2014 this weekend, joining the Formula 1 event in Melbourne.
Racing driver Scott McLaughlin secured a sensational podium finish in Volvo Polestar Racing’s debut race two weeks ago at the Clipsal 500, and is aiming to continue in the top.
“We showed that we have the speed to challenge the very top of the field in the first race of the season, and my aim is set to continue in the same style this weekend,” said McLaughlin.
The race weekend with Formula 1 comes with a special format of four races, meaning valuable experience for teammate Robert Dahlgren.
“The setup is perfect for me – I need as much time as possible with the car,” said Dahlgren. At the same time, it is going to be an incredible challenge with four tough and short races.”
McLaughlin claimed his first ever V8 Supercars win in Melbourne last year and describes the circuit as one of his favourites.
“I love the circuit; it suits me and I enjoy the good flow. I am pretty sure that we are going to get a good weekend,” said McLaughlin.
The race weekend starts on today with two test sessions and qualifying. The first two races are held on Friday, followed by one race on Saturday and the final on Sunday. All races are 30 minutes in length with a rolling start. The grid is decided from the result of the previous race, bar the first race grid which is decided through the Thursday qualifying session.
“It is going to be awesome racing on the same weekend as Formula 1. The V8 Supercars Championship has got a really strong crowd in Australia, and now we are getting a strong international crowd as well. I am really looking forward to the weekend,” said Dahlgren.
The Volvo S60 based 2014 V8 supercar is powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine developing 485 kW and revs up to 7,500 rpm. Weighing less than 1.4 tonne, the race car rockets from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, en route to a top speed of 298 km/h.
Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix – V8 Supercars
Circuit: Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia
Length: 5027m
Lap record (V8SC): 1:55.9682, Craig Lowndes (2011)
Schedule
Thursday 13 March
13:30 Test 1 (30min)
16:10 Test 2 (30min)
18:00 Qualifying (30min)
Friday 14 March
11:00 Race 1 (30min)
14:25 Race 2 (30min)
Saturday 15 March
15:20 Race 3 (30min)
Sunday 16 March
13:15 Race 4 (30min)
