Hot Lap - Hidden Valley by Stone Borthers Racing

Marcos Ambrose, takes us on a hot lap of Hidden Valley Raceway.

It is a pretty good feeling charging down the main straight, which is one of the longest in the series at 1.1km and pretty amazing when you consider the size of the circuit.

You can really stretch the legs of the car and as you charge towards turn one you know you have a pretty good overtaking opportunity if you get yourself in the right position. You can really force guys to defend on this corner and there have been plenty who have got themselves into trouble on this part of the circuit.

This is a pretty flat second or third gear corner depending on the day and tyre conditions. Turn one runs into turn two and on the exit of this the track flicks left and then right and you can take this flat out on good tyres.

It is then into the tight right hander, which you again take in second. This sets you up for the short shoot to the left-hand hairpin.

This part of the track is mega tight and very flat. The car can slide off the circuit very easily here if you are slightly off line because of all the marbles which build up during the day.

Good traction is important on the exit because you then short shift to third to get into the right-hander sweeper - almost flat out.

This takes us into my favourite part of the circuit. You short change to fourth gear, kick left and then take the big sweeping left-hand bend up over the rise.

The car moves around a lot through here, but it is a section where you can make up a lot of time if you attack it.

As you head into the final corner there is a left and then right kink in the braking area. You need to bounce off the kerbs to get the car straight for the entry on to the straight.

A hot day in Darwin can really take its toll on your body and it is difficult to maintain your concentration. The big long straight allows you to use all your horsepower, but at the same time you also need to be spot on with your set-up because of the tight, challenging bits.

A good lap in Darwin is very rewarding.

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