McLaughlin up for speedy Tasmanian test

Aware of the hype behind his team, Scott McLaughlin has vowed to do his talking on the track during the Supercars meet in Tasmania.

Scott McLaughlin has predicted the end to one of Supercars longest-standing track records this weekend.

The arrival of the SuperSoft tyres at Symmons Plains is likely to put an end to Rick Kelly's eight-year benchmark lap of 51.47 seconds at the short Tasmanian circuit.

But whether it will be McLaughlin or another driver pushing the new record towards mark is anyone's guess.

The first championship round since the season-opening Clipsal 500 is one of the most anticipated meets of recent times.

It's because for the first time in a long time, the ultra-dominant Red Bull Holdens have some competition.

Roland Dane's team have won the last seven teams championships but the talk of the paddock is DJR Team Penske.

McLaughlin and Penske teammate 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.

So are they the real deal or just the latest pretender?

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

"Everybody wants to see a challenger," he said.

"They've been at the top of the game for 10-plus years and we're only new.

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

"But they know we're coming. They know we're there. And that's a special feeling. We'll do our talking on the track and see how we go."

The Kiwi must confront one of his worst circuits this weekend.

McLaughlin has a clutch of top-10 finishes but no podiums at Symmons Plains in 11 races.

He's hoping improved speed with the new SuperSoft tyres and the gains at Albert Park can help him break that duck.

"Whether or not times will be out of control, I'm not sure. I'd be surprised if we don't beat the record," he said.

"We know this track is a bit of a bogey for us so we need to work our way into it.

"To be as fast as we were at Albert Park on that tyre and make gains was a good confidence booster."


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Source: AAP



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