7 Apr 2017

McLaughlin predicts track record in Tasmania

10:51 am on 7 April 2017

New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin is hoping to slash one of Australian Supercars longest-standing records this weekend.

Scott McLaughlin for DJR Team Penske

Scott McLaughlin for DJR Team Penske Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Australia's Rick Kelly has an eight year benchmark lap of 51.47 seconds at Symmons Plains- but the arrival of the SuperSoft tyres could put an end to it.

It's the first championship round since the season opening Clipsal 500.

The round is highly anticipated because for the first time in a long time the dominant Red Bull Holdens have some competition.

Roland Dane's team have won the last seven team championships but Scott McLaughlin and DJR Team Penske are the talk of the paddock.

McLaughlin and his Penske Ford teammate, fellow-Kiwi Fabian Coulthard, each scored a podium in Adelaide and took home a 1-2 result at the non-point scoring round at the Australian Grand Prix.

McLaughlin said the hype behind their team was just that until they proved it on the racetrack.

"They've been at the top of the game for 10-plus years and we're only new, everybody wants to see a challenger.

"They're a bloody good team and we've got a long mountain to climb to get where they are," McLaughlin said.

Scott McLaughlin is seventh in the standings, with fellow New Zealander and defending series champion Shane van Gisbergen on top.

-Reuters