Already buzzing from a virtual race win, Scott McLaughlin will be aiming to keep his Midas touch in the Supercars’ Eseries opener on Wednesday night.
The Supercars form guide is expected to be thrown out the window when all 25 drivers contest the 10-week Eseries.
Little known young guns with years of virtual racing experience have the opportunity to turn the tables on some of the sport’s biggest names.
But it seems the more things change in Supercars the more they may stay the same judging by two-time defending series champion McLaughlin’s ominous form ahead of the historic first race.
Invited as a guest driver, McLaughlin claimed IndyCar’s second iRacing series race at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama from the comfort of his simulator in his Brisbane home early on Sunday morning.
“It was the weirdest Sunday I’ve ever lived,” McLaughlin said in his Scott’s Corner newsletter.
“But also one of the most satisfying. To win my first IndyCar iRacing Series race was a bloody thrill.
“I know it’s clearly not the real thing but this was a cool box to tick.”
With the Supercars on-track season suspended until at least June due to coronavirus, McLaughlin is now primed for the Supercars Eseries – in stark contrast to the build-up to his IndyCar virtual race.
“I was trying my best not to fall asleep. Can you imagine if I missed the start of the race because I nodded off?” McLaughlin said of his early Sunday start.
Some of Supercars’ biggest names admit they will feel like rookies when the Eseries starts.
“I haven’t done much driving in a simulator before, it’s all been inside the race car on the track,” seven-time Supercars champion Jamie Whincup told Supercars website.
“I’m fairly competitive … so I’m hoping after three or four rounds I’ve got a little bit of pace on and can run with the young blokes.”
Supercars rookie Jake Kostecki is among the lesser known drivers who hope to make a name for themselves thanks to their superior simulator experience.
“I’m looking forward to racing these guys and hopefully I can give them a nudge where I can and get a good result,” he said.
Ford heavyweight Tickford Racing team boss Tim Edwards hoped Supercars could win over new fans with the Eseries which starts at 7pm on Wednesday.
“Motorsport is the only live sport on in Australia right now, so it’s a great opportunity to expose our sport to people who may not be familiar with it,” he said.
