MOTORSPORT
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Illawarra V8 Utes Series driver Andrew "Fishtail" Fisher is confident he can make a quick transition from the ute to the Porsche at this weekend's Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour Race at Mount Panorama.
The Jesus Racing driver had his first practice run in the left-hand drive Porsche 997 GT3 Cup with his new Rentcorp Motorsport teammates at Wakefield Park last week and is confident he's mastered the new car ahead the race.
"I hadn't actually raced a left-hand drive until our test day a couple of weeks ago but after three laps I was on the pace and ended up setting the fastest lap out of team," Fisher said.
"I've raced in so many different cars these days and that's our job as a racing driver to be able to get into a new car and break down the idiosyncrasies of that and apply your skills to that car on that track."
Fisher is no stranger to Mount Panorama, having competed in V8 Supercars and V8 utes, and said the transition to a purpose-built racing car was a welcome one.
"Being able to race a ute fast takes a lot of skill and technique, so when we do get into other cars like the Porsche, once you get used to the different dynamic, it's actually easier to race them because they're built for racing," he said.
"The main difference is that V8 utes are very loose.
"They're a wild ride, they don't have a lot of brake, they don't have a lot tyre grip, so they lose traction very quickly at the rear end.
"They're really a production-based car whereas the Porsche is a purpose-built race car, so it's got incredible brakes and different suspension and a lot more power in the Porsche as well."
Fisher will tackle the gruelling 12-hour race alongside Rentcorp teammates owner Ric Shaw and Aaron Zerefos and owner Indiran Padayachee.
Padayachee is confident Fisher has the experience and skill to make the transition.
"I was pleasantly surprised at Andrew's [practice] performance," Padayachee said.
"This is his first time in a Porsche and he has never driven a left-hand drive car before.
"It's a thoroughbred race car, very different from his V8 ute, but within just a couple of laps Andrew was on the pace and looked very comfortable.
"A lot of people wanted to drive with us and we chose a line-up who know that the 12-hour is about how well you drive and look after the machine and yourself."