Jack Le Brocq views his expanded role as part of Nissan’s ‘reserve driver’ program as a vital link in a possible elevation to the Supercars main series next year.
While Le Brocq is expected to run in a maximum of two rounds of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship this season as a wildcard entry, he is also expected to gain valuable mileage in Friday test sessions.
The wildcard entries are a bonus to Le Brocq’s quest to win the second tier Dunlop Super2 Series in one of two Nissan Altimas run by Matt White Racing.
Confirmed as co-driver with Todd Kelly for the Pirtek Enduro Cup triumvirate of races, Le Brocq hopes to gain extended Friday mileage at the main game meetings.
“The plan is to get me in the car as much as possible and to be at all the events,” Le Brocq told Speedcafe.com.
“Nothing is concrete yet but Todd wants to get me as many laps as possible and prepare me as best we can.
“I’ve worked with Todd quite a bit so far and the team has had a test day already.”
The first to take advantage of the new wildcard conditions where entries can be lodged in a maximum of four Supercars meetings, Le Brocq is excited about running in his maiden main game meetings solo.
Last year as co-driver to Cameron Waters, Le Brocq finished fourth in the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.
“Having jumped in the main game at the enduros last year, the level is a big step up from the Dunlop Series,” Le Brocq said.
“And doing these wildcard rounds solo is probably one of the most exciting parts of the whole program.”
After a season in the Prodrive FG X Falcon last year when he finished second to team-mate Garry Jacobson, Le Brocq finds himself back with White whom he was with in the 2015 Dunlop Series.
“It’s good to be back with Matt. We get on really well,’ Le Brocq said.
“He’s just as excited as what we are and it will be really good to have a crack at the Championship.”
Le Brocq says he will take time to adjust to the different feel of the Altima compared with the Prodrive-built Falcon FG X from last year.
“The cars are set-up totally differently with the way they work and the way they chase the speed,” Le Brocq said.
“It will probably take a little bit of time to get my head around what I want out of the car and how to drive it.
“I’m looking forward to get a few test days under my belt before we get to Adelaide to give us a good understanding of how it goes.
“We are working with Rick and Todd and the Nissan engineers on what to chase on race set-up and what the car reacts to and what they like.”
VIDEO: Jack Le Brocq reveals his hopes for the 2017 season