Dex🌳ion Racing has completed its first pre-season test ahead of theꦏ new V8 Supercar Development Series season, with the teams focus now firmly fixed on the opening race of the season at Adelaide next weekend.

Last weeks test at Winton Raceway was the first time the team had used the ex Anthony Tratt Ford Falcon BA that it will use in 2005, and driver Tony Evangelou admitted that, despite some initial t🌜eething problems, he was hopeful that the car will be able to challenge for a top ten finish when it takes to the track for its first race.

"The car didn't go too bad," he said. "Straight out of the truck it was a bit of a handful. It's really difficult to tell how we'll fare against the front-runners because we've got no data to go against. Not only is it a new car to us, but the new Development Series rules make it൲ a complete unknown.

"The lap times 🌺that we did at Winton were not record-breaking, but its early days yet. The engine that we used has just been pulled off the dyno. It was lacking a bit of power but the boys tell me that we've been able to peg back some power.

"Compared to our former AU, the base car is better. The 'turn ꦅin' of the BA is so much𒉰 better and I could tell that straight away. Now it's a case of finding the correct balance between the front of the car and the rear.

"We are still aiming for a top ten finish [in Adelaide]. We know t✨he car needs improvement. If we don't have the qualifying speed, we want to make sure we have good race pace. It's going to be a long championship"

Team manager David Moulden echoed Evangelou's 🎃prediction, although he admitted that he was expecting a tough season of competition in 2♑005.

"I've never seen the competition in the Development Series be so tough," he said. "The top ten is our aim, but deep down we are hoping that we can be higher than that. There are some well equipped teams in the fi🌊eld, which has its 𝓀positives and negatives. If we get a good result, we know we'll have earnt it."

Dexion has also announced that Puma has become the latest sponsor for the team for 🧸the 2🧔005 season.