The two Toyota 86 Series racers from TekworkX Motorsport believe the wet conditions expected at Sandown Raceway provide an optimal scenario for strong results.
Rossi Johnson and Jayden Wanzek don’t have a wealth of experience at Sandown but the slippery forecast should provide more of a level playing field against their Victorian opposition.
Wanzek and Johnson have both unlocked extra speed in recent rounds, with personal best finishes in Bathurst and Townsville. An opportunity to make their Sandown debuts on a wet track giving them belief the gap to those in front will be further reduced.
Wanzek had a breakout weekend at the last round in Townsville, after qualifying 21st he charged forward to finish fifth in races two and three.
“Our first goal for this weekend is to maintain our momentum from the last round,” said Wanzek.
“We need to work on our qualifying speed, if we start closer to where we were finishing in Townsville then there’s no reason we can’t fight for podiums.
“The forecast probably helps us with none of us in the team having raced at Sandown before. We know that wet weather is the great equaliser and that will help us out immensely,” concluded Wanzek.
Johnson enjoyed his first career top 10 in Bathurst before a personal best qualifying in Townsville. His weekend was brought undone after being turned around but that did little to dissuade his belief that he is now a genuine threat to compete at the front.
“We got to see where we sit in the field on raw pace with that qualifying performance,” said Johnson.
“It obviously didn’t play out how we’d have liked but it was nothing we could control. We will have to make sure we maximise our Friday with the practice sessions and really pour over the data to ensure we make up for lost ground with no prior experience at the track,” concluded Johnson.
Round four of the Toyota Gazoo Racing Australia 86 Series takes place from August 19-21 at Sandown Raceway.
