Stoner tests V8 in Queensland

Former MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has moved another step closer to a career in V8 Supercars, impressing during a test day at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday.

The two-time motorcycle world champion, who retired from that sport at the end of this year’s MotoGP campaign, drove Jamie Whincup’s Holden Commodore at the test day with Triple Eight Race Engineering.

With Whincup’s veteran teammate Craig Lowndes offering advice, Stoner did well during the hit-out.

Speculation continues to build the 27-year-old will race with the team in the minor-category Dunlop Series next year.

“He’s doing a great job at the moment and has acquitted himself well,” team manager Adrian Burgess told motorsport website Speedcafe.com.

“We’re going through a range of spring changes, bar adjustments and letting him feel what a real V8 Supercar is like with a proper engine.”

Burgess said Stoner was down to a lap time of one minute and 11 seconds by the end of his third run on the 3.12km track, around two seconds behind the fastest times in qualifying for this year’s V8 Supercars race in Ipswich.

It’s the second time Stoner has driven a V8 Supercar but Burgess said no decision on Stoner’s future has been made.

“Prior to today, he’s only driven our ride car,” Burgess said.

“This is the opportunity to drive the race car.

“Once today is over, he can go home and make a balanced, educated assessment of where he’s at and if he wants to do a deal.”

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