NEW Super2 star Campbell Logan was watching as closely as anyone when 2015 champion Mark Winterbottom made an unexpected return to solo Supercars racing on Sunday.
Logan has been effusive in his praise for Winterbottom’s work as a Tickford Autosport mentor, which helped put him on the path to a stellar showing in Darwin.
Along came the 22-year-old’s maiden race and round wins after having gone podium-less through his first two seasons in the category.
“I’ve been working really hard with the team and ‘Frosty’ in particular in the background to work on the starts and work closely with my engineer to get the most out of the package for what suits me,” Logan reiterated on Sunday afternoon.
What followed was a turning of the tables, with the chance for Logan and his Tickford Autosport peers to scrutinise Winterbottom’s performance filling in for Thomas Randle aboard the #55 Castrol Mustang.
“He’s pretty critical on us, which is obviously such a great thing – but it’s going to be return of serve, right? If he blows the start, I’m going to rip into him like he did to me!” Logan joked.
Fortunately for Winterbottom, he avoided being put under the microscope in that department at least, thanks to a pitlane start given he did not take part in Qualifying for Race 19.
The veteran proceeded to show decent pace in the circumstances and brought home 21 teams’ championship points that Tickford otherwise would have surrendered.
“His knowledge bank is so incredible,” Logan continued of Winterbottom’s impact.
“Coming in, the guys spoke really highly of him last year; from a driving point of view I thought he was going to be really good but it’s actually also the engineering side, knowing how to work with your engineer and gel a bit better.
Campbell Logan. Pic: Mark Walker
“Like it’s our second round, so I’ve had to gel really quickly with my new engineer (Wayne Bourke) moving over and he has been really pivotal in that and lots of little things that he picks up.
“He looks at the data and just helps guide you. He might not give you the answer but he helps get you there. He’s so invaluable.”
Logan himself is now up to second in the Super2 standings, 75 points back from fellow Tasmanian product Lochie Dalton.
“It would be cool if it was a Tassie runaway show for the championship… there’s no reason why I can’t take it to him,” said the former Walkinshaw prodigy, who has been linked to a Tailem Bend 500 wildcard co-drive.
The Super2 field will next be in action at Wanneroo Raceway across July 31-August 2.