Holden Racing Team (HRT) driver James Courtney has clocked the third fastest lap time in the full field shootout at the V8 Supercars SuperTest at Sydney Motorsport Park, while teammate Garth Tander rounded out the top 10.

While the $2,500 prize for the fastest lap eluded the team, both drivers agreed they are feeling confident heading to Clipsal in just three weeks’ time.

The shootout was the final session of a heavily scheduled two day test, and teams were required to run a set of green (new) hard compound tyres.

This was the first real indicator of how car speed compared, with most teams saving their new tyres for races later in the year. The starting order of the shootout was based on the 2014 Championship finishing position of the car’s Racing Entitlements Contract (REC).

HRT enjoyed a successful first day at the Sydney Motorsport Park circuit, testing new components, new geometry and set-up changes.

Three on-track sessions made up Saturday’s programme, though a dead track with little grip around midday saw some valuable testing time was lost. Despite this, Team Manager Anthony McDonald said there were some positive results.

“Yesterday was a good day and we got through our entire test programme. All the drivers commented on the cars and said they felt comfortable in them. So I suppose they are all promising signs,” said Team Manager Anthony McDonald.

The HRT matt black test livery was one of the most popular with the fans, but a new season livery will be revealed on Wednesday 25th February at the Clipsal 500, Adelaide.

Here is what the Drivers had to say:

James Courtney – Car #2

“The test day went really well and all weekend really. We had our testing plan and we got through everything we had to run through.

“Like everyone we were limited on tyres, so we had to really think it out and make correct decisions at the right time and the guys did that.

“As a team we worked really, really well on the car – we’re a new group and we’ve been shuffled around a bit, but I’m really happy with how that all went.

“Pretty confident that we are going to roll up to Clipsal with a good package and I think this weekend we were pretty speedy throughout all the sessions which is really encouraging.”

Garth Tander – Car #22

“Testing wise everything went well, we came here knowing that we wouldn’t be in the front bunch because we didn’t bring good tyres. We’re saving those for the season.

“We got through our whole programme as we hoped, we tested a lot of really big things and got a lot of solid answers - so from a testing point of view I’m pretty happy with where we are at.

“In the shootout I probably overcooked it on the brakes into turn two, and ran wide. That cost us probably half a second, and then I got a little bit wide on turn four on the new surface and lost another couple of tenths there.

“I’m pretty confident going into Clipsal but it’s a very different circuit to Sydney Motorsport Park, but this weekend was all about testing not lap times.”

Jack Perkins – Co-driver Car #2

“It was fantastic to come and be part of the Super Test, to get a bit of a feel for car #22 and just work for the team.

“I got some laps both today and on Saturday and I’m look forward to the next time I get to drive the car.

“The car is really good, I did limited laps on older tyres, but still got a good feel for it. I feel comfortable and that’s a good start.

“Being at this test day just gives me a good head start, it’s a good chance to get sorted in the car and next time I drive we know I’m ready to go and I know what to expect."