Motorsport: McLaughlin hoping for Plains sailing

Kiwi DJR Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin wants to get a good qualifying package together in Tasmania. Photo / Edge Photographics

This weekend's second round of the Supercars championship at Symmons Plains, Tasmania will be a big test for all the teams, in particular a resurgent DJR Team Penske.

After Kiwis Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard tore the field apart at the Melbourne Grand Prix event, it's obvious the team have those two cars working well.

Over the four races they had two race wins, two seconds and a third which allowed Coulthard the weekend's bragging rights. There were no championship points on offer.

Symmons Plains is a different kettle of fish where the team hasn't faired so well in the past. The track is tight, tough and demanding with little room for overtaking.

Drivers can be just a 10th of a second off during qualifying and end up mid-pack on the grid.

"Ludo [Lacroix, new competition director] has done a great job for us, as have all the other engineers and mechanics," aid McLaughlin.

"The cars are fantastic and we've got a good package and should be there or thereabouts all year. We're going to be concentrating on getting a good qualifying package together this weekend."

McLaughlin was a formidable opponent when punting the Volvo around for Gary Rogers Motorsport over the past couple of seasons. Normally, when changing teams there's a bit of settling in to do and creating an understand with all the crew working with the driver.

Couple that learning curve with having to come to grips with a new race car package using a different engine brings many other adjustments as well.

By moving to DJR Team Penske McLaughlin has given himself twice as much work to do to get to the front of the field.

If Melbourne was any indicator, he's not doing too bad of a job.

"The move happened at good time. The team bought on some new people as well as me and I'm in a good space and it's cool to be here.

"I do have a brand new car and Fabs [Coulthard] has Scott Pye's from last year. At the end of the day the car is good, but I wouldn't say I've fully adapted to it.

"I'm a long way from that, but adapting and getting better each time I get in it and the team are right behind me.

"I'm still getting used to the brakes and other bits and pieces like that. There's not crazy amounts of difference [Ford v Volvo], the sound of the engine and the power delivery are probably the two biggest differences as are a few ergonomic things.

"It's been a smoother start than I thought it would be that's for sure. It's a good start to the year, but it's very early days. If we go well over the weekend it'll be good not just for my confidence, but for everyone here [team]," said McLaughlin.

Coulthard has always had the talent to run at the front and now is pretty sure he's got the car underneath him to go all the way.

Series leader Shane van Gisbergen was in a league of his own at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

He struggled in Melbourne but that's the time to have an off day when no points are up for grabs. He'll come out fighting over the weekend as will teammate Jamie Whincup.

Look for James Courtney to have another good weekend. It appears the team being dumped by the Holden Racing Team has been the boot in the pants the former champion needed.

Chaz Mostert seems to have his mojo back after a bit of an average run following his massive crash at Bathurst in 2016, and rightly so, and looks to have tail feathers running high again. The leading pack will not have it all their own way so be prepared for an upset that may just come from one of the Nissans.

"It's good for New Zealand fans that there are now three Kiwis in the championship that are all capable of winning races on a regular basis. Should be a good season," said McLaughlin.