Craig Lowndes to drive 2010 spec McLaren at Bathurst

[zorog]

As i've read:

pitpass says:

Having traded cars with V8 Supercar driver Jamie Whincup in Melbourne last year, Jenson Button is set to get another taste of Australia's premier racing category in the build up to the season opening Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The exchange, a result of a both drivers links to Vodafone, will see Button get behind the wheel of Craig Lowndes Holden Commodore V8 Supercar while in return Lowndes will get the chance to taste a 2010 spec McLaren.

This is to happen the Tuesday before the Australian GP at Mt Panorama Bathurst

The fastest recorded lap around the 6.2km circuit is 2:06.801

set by Lowndes during practice for last year's Bathurst 1000

they say he will be driving at "near racing speeds" what time do you think he will be able to set in the McLaren?

Albert park: 5.303 km 2010 fastest lap

V8 1:58.233
McLaren F1 1:29.291

Shanghai International 5.451 km
V8 1:51.056 (2005 race)
McLaren F1 1:34.979 (2010 q3)

Mt Panorama: 6.2 km

v8 2:06.801 (2010 practice)
McLaren F1 ?:??.???

I'm thinking 1:45 might be possible

[megz]

I'm going to love watching this, Bathurst is an awesome circuit but I'm not sure that it will be able to run quickly given the nature of the track surface.

[richard_leeds]

If it is a 2010 car, then the FOTA testing agreement will still apply.

They'll be limited to demonstration tyres and either rev or speed limit - I forget which.

[zorog]

exactly-how-fast-was-jenson-buttons-lap-of-mount-panorama-bathurst-in-his-f1-car

1.48ish from the above

[Fil]

Jenson Button & V8 Supercar driver Craig Lowndes both drive a McLaren & Holden V8 Supercar around the legendary Mt Panorama racetrack today. Youtube vids are beginning to pop up from the spectacular demonstration!

Initial rumours suggest a sub 1m49 time. And from the sounds in the videos, it wasn't pushing hard at all.

[alelanza]

Very cool topic, thanks. Would love to see what it looks like at the dipper, and also Lowndsey's opinion after the fact.

[Fil]

Another great vid with multiple corner views.

And it's confirmed, Button set a new lap record for the circuit in the 1m48's. Previous record was a 2m08



Can't wait for the official footage to be released! Yep, the McLaren through the dipper will be fascinating!

[freedom_honda]

I am more interested in Button's laptime in the V8 Supercar.

EDIT: found it.

Naturally, Lowndes had the advantage in the hardtop touring car, laying down a time of 2:11 (22 seconds adrift of his effort in the McLaren). Button was a further six seconds behind, posting a time of 2:17.

That's slightly disappointing I must say.

[richard_leeds]

Thanks for posting the videos. There's already a thread over here

... viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9585&view=unread#unread

[alelanza]

What a noise , intoxicating, seems to me as if he stayed semi clear of the dipper