FIRST PIC: McConville’s Fujitsu Series entry

Cameron McConville has unveiled his striking Jax Quickfit Tyres Commodore VE that he will race this weekend in the third round of the Fujitsu V8 Series at Winton.

McConville, signed as an endurance driver for Walkinshaw Racing, is using the next two rounds of the Fujitsu Series (Winton and Townsville) as a chance to keep race fit ahead of the three V8 endurance races at Phillip Island, Bathurst and Gold Coast later this year.

The Victorian retired from full-time racing at the end of last year and has pieced together the Fujitsu Series deal, sourcing the sponsorship and the lease of the Commodore. He told Speedcafe.com.au that he is keen to get back into “the heat of the battle.”

“The car looks terrific. It’s come up really well,” he said.

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“I approached Rob (Crawford) and Craig Wilson and asked them how I could get some more miles and they were keen to provide me with a competitive car. I had to find a bit of a budget, which I haven’t had to do for a while, but I’m very keen to make the most of the endurance races this year which is why I’ve gone to the effort.

“I was at a Jax Quickfit conference last week and I spoke to the marketing manager and he thought it was a good way to have a soft entry into V8s – and away we go!

“Racing this car is better than any test day – I can get into the heat of the battle and race guys who have proven to be fast in good cars.”

McConville says the break he has had from full-time racing has given him a new desire to succeed, and recognises that his ride with one of the four Walkinshaw Racing Commodores (Toll HRT and Bundaberg Red Racing) will give him his best chance yet of winning the Bathurst 1000.

“When I signed with Walkinhshaws, I though that this is the best opportunity to have a real crack at the endurance races,” he said.

“At the end of the day, I never said I was retiring – I was just stepping back from full-time racing. If anything, the break has done me a world of good. I’ve got really itchy feet to go out there and do some racing again.

“In a Walkinshaw Racing car, I’ve got a very good chance, no matter who I drive with. This is probably my best chance to be on the top step at Bathurst, so I’m not going to waste that opportunity.”

The Fujitsu V8 Series cars hit the track for practice on Friday. McConville will also get extra laps in the Championship Series’ endurance driver sessions on Friday. He will steer Garth Tander’s #2 Toll HRT Commodore, just like he did at Queensland Raceway two weeks ago.