REYNOLDS EYES IPSWICH CHANGE TO CHASE RIVALS
DAVE Reynolds will take a bold set- up gamble in Ipswich this weekend to topple teammate Mark Winterbottom.
Still fighting to win a new seat at the all- conquering Prodrive Racing Australia, the off- contract star will make risky changes to his Falcon FG- X to find the speed to beat championship leader Winterbottom – who drives an identical car.
After winning his first solo race by beating his stablemates Winterbottom and Chaz Mostert in a Darwin thriller, Reynolds was run
down by the duo in the final 200km fling at Townsville to finish third.
Reynolds has bolted to fourth in the championship and is aiming to earn a new contract by winning at Queensland Raceway this weekend.
“I can’t say I have ever looked forward to going to Queensland Raceway,’’ the Bottle- O Racing Team driver said.
“But I am this weekend, so there is a first time for everything. I’m heading there with a lot of confidence and a very fast car so I can’t wait to get out there and have a crack.’’
Reynolds said he will try to beat teammate Winterbottom by making his car slower over one lap but faster over the race distance.
“This is an opportunity to show what we can do,’’ said Reynolds.
“Nothing is going to come easy so we have to work at it.
‘‘ We have to make it happen. We are working out how to beat those guys and I am going to run a slightly different car set- up to them.
“I am trying to outsmart them with a different set- up.
‘‘ I think I have better tyre life than them.
‘‘ Overall it is not quicker over one lap, but over a race distance I think it is better.
“It is a gamble but in the long run I think it can work for us.’’
Reynolds does not have a drive for next season despite coming fourth in the V8 Supercar championship with Fabian Coulthard, Craig Lowndes and Winterbottom above him on the points ladder.
He is hoping to earn a new deal at Prodrive Racing Australia.
“It is still not resolved,’’ Reynolds said. “Nothing is happening. ‘‘ I just have to go out and win races and the rest will take care of itself.’’
It is believed Brad Jones Racing will try to sign Reynolds should Coulthard – also off- contract – move on.
Reynolds now just wants to win races after bagging his first solo win earlier this year.
Reynolds’ first race win came in an Endurance event on the Gold Coast in 2013 where he races with a codriver.
“I always knew I could win,’’ Reynolds said.
“That has just proved it to me and given me the confidence to go and get after the next one. The last couple of years has been a struggle with the car but it has been fixed and I am seeing improved results.’’