News
Kody Garland gives Peugeot tick of approval following first test
It was a difficult maiden Supercheap Auto TCR Australia Series campaign for Kody Garland, but a switch of manufacturer to Peugeot while still remaining in the Garry Rogers Motorsport stable has raised his hopes of a contending season.
This was buoyed by his first test last week at Winton where he joined fellow GRM Peugeot drivers Aaron Cameron, Jordan Cox and Ben Bargwanna in a shakedown of sorts ahead of the opening round at AWC Race Tasmania.
Although not running on the category’s new Kumho tyres, it still proved invaluable for Garland as he learnt the intricacies of his Valvoline Team GRM Peugeot 308 TCR.
“It was a good day, I got nice and comfy in the Pug,” said Garland.
“Initially, in the first session the big thing I noticed was the very fast steering ratio the Peugeot has compared to the Renault. It took just a session alone to get used to that compared to the Renault and there was also the paddle shift, but nothing is hard about that I just don’t have to reach for the gearstick anymore.
“On cold tyres the Peugeot is a lot more lively being a little shorter wheelbase it tends to move around a bit more as well. There are a few more adjustments in braking, I had to get my head around as well, which I worked throughout the day on and we got to where we were happy with at the end of the test.”
Working alongside his three other teammates holding vast experience in Peugeot’s touring car contender also aided in the learning process.
“If I had any uncertainties the boys were more than happy to help out, which was very handy,” reflected Garland.
“Even with the controls in the car, the different start procedures and the sort it was good to run through that with them.”
Garland is predicting the importance of qualifying will continue into the new season as he targets a move up the grid.
“It will be the same as last year where qualifying is the key for the weekend, but in terms of a race a lot more focus will need to be put into the tyre warming process to make sure the car is good from the beginning and you don’t lose out during the first few laps,” he explained.
“Definitely a race win isn’t off the cards for this year. My goal is to be a consistent top 10 finisher and be in the top five as well. I want to be at the pointy end for most of the year, which is obviously easier said than done, but I hope we can definitely extract that for sure.”
Garland will make his Peugeot debut at the opening round of Supercheap Auto TCR Australia at AWC Race Tasmania on February 24-26.
CLICK HERE for tickets.
Stan Sport will provide live, uninterrupted and on-demand coverage of all Shannons SpeedSeries rounds. AWC Race Tasmania will also feature free-to-air broadcasting on the Nine Network’s digital channels on Saturday afternoon from 2-5pm (February 25).