Craig Lowndes: Future V8 needs a change of style

VETERAN driver Craig Lowndes has admitted the entire V8 Supercar field faces a almighty challenge when the Car of the Future arrives next year.

Craig Lowndes

VETERAN driver Craig Lowndes has admitted the entire V8 Supercar field faces a almighty challenge next year with the new Car of the Future set to prompt a major rethink of driving style and technique.

Lowndes' teammate, Jamie Whincup, became the first driver to trial a team-built Car of the Future last week he took to Queensland Raceway in the first of the all new racing cars to debut next year.

The new design has been spearheaded by Mark Skaife and will reduce costs and make it easier for car manufacturers to join Holden and Ford in the series, with Nissan already committed.

The Car of the Future is far from a NASCAR but each team must build the car to specification with a large number of parts standardised.

Lowndes yesterday admitted he would be forced to change his famous style with the new car a totally different beast to the current specification V8 Supercar.

"It is going to be completely different and Jamie wasn't happy at all with the way it was," Lowndes said.

"I think it will be completely different but it will be like every car in that you will have to massage it and modify it and try it get it to work as close to the old one as we can. It is going to be a challenge and we will have to change our approach.

"The new car is down here, in the garage, and we will have another test day on Monday to really give it a good shake down.

"Jamie did 20 laps at Norwell and it isn't a big open circuit so I think we will get a better idea on Monday.

"Jamie was encouraged in some areas but there is a lot of work in other areas needed to get the car to handle.

"I think we all we have to change our driving style to adapt to the car."

Rick Kelly, who will lead the charge for Nissan next year, has driven a prototype several times.

The former champion also said the drivers would be forced to change their technique.

"It is quite exciting because I have driven these cars for over ten years," Kelly said.

"We are going to have to adapt and change and I can't wait for the challenge. The changes between the current chassis and the new one will require a change in the thought in the set-up and also in driving style.

"I think the new car has a bit more speed in initial entry and it handles a little differently. I think it gives you a bit more confidence to pass someone at that part of the corner.

"I never looked at data and didn't know what set-up it had but just off the general feeling I would definitely say we will have to change the way we drive.

"The late turn in phase of the corner will be different but I think it will be a good thing," Kelly said.

Kelly said the production of his all new Nissan Supercar was on-track and it was ready to be pieced together.

The Kelly Racing stable will run four Nissan V8 Supercars as the manufacturer makes a long awaited return to the series.