Steve Johnson completed first Lamborghini at Calder Park

Steve Johnson Squeezes Into First Lambo Test

YOUNG V8 Supercar star Steven Johnson successfully completed his first test of a Nations Cup Lamborghini at Melbourne's Calder Park circuit today and declared himself ready to challenge for the Clarion Sandown 500 on Sunday week.

The 26-year-old Queenslander, who won the Queensland 500 on 26 August, will share the Team Lamborghini Australia Diablo SVO coupe with its regular driver, three-time Australian Gold Star driving champion Paul Stokell.

Johnson completed more than 30 laps of Calder Park, but only after passing a critical initial test -fitting his 185 cm frame into the Lamborghini's cramped cockpit.

"Once the crew made a couple of changes to get me comfortable I was able to go out and learn the car. With a big V12 engine in the back it's quite different to my Shell Helix Racing Falcon, but it felt very great," Johnson said.

"It doesn't roll around as much and I could feel it wanting to slide at the back. It's also got good horsepower. I think Paul and I are going to be one of the quickest combos at Sandown."

Stokell, who has steered the car to eight wins in this season's Megamantis.com Australian Nations Cup Championship, was delighted with the performance of his teammate.

"Paul and I were together in the Shell Helix Racing team for the Queensland 500 and so we knew what to expect of each other together. However, the Lambo is a very different car and he handled it extremely well.

"He's got a fantastic record coming off the win with Paul Radisich in the Queensland 500 and I hope we can do it again for the 34th Sandown 500."

The Clarion Sandown 500 will start at 12 midday on Sunday 16 September, with the leading cars scheduled to complete 161 laps and four compulsory pit stops.

Also today, Melbourne-based glamor team Prancing Horse Racing finalised a powerful driver line-up for three of its Ferrari 360 Challenge coupes.

V8 Supercar drivers Paul Morris, Mark Noske and Craig Baird respectively will partner John Teulan, Tom Waring and Steve Beards, competing against a field that also will include Tony Quinn/JimRichards and Peter Fitzgerald/Geoff Morgan in Porsches and the 600 horsepower Chrysler Viper of D'arcy Russell.

-ProcarAU-