New Kelly Racing recruit Jason Bargwanna got a head start on his 2010 V8 Supercar Championship campaign with a ride day at Winton yesterday (Monday).

Bargs completed 100 laps in at the circuit in country Victoria in a white liveried Commodore (chassis PE047) with Kelly Racing decals.

The livery for the Bargs’ 2010 car is yet to be unveiled however it is understood he has brought sponsor Fuchs across from Sprint Gas Racing, which closes on Friday (December 18).

“I was very excited to actually get a taste for the car, how it drives and just see how it is that they go about getting the cars right and being competitive and I was very impressed with package so far,” Bargwanna said.

“Obviously it’s hard to evaluate the cars with a passenger on board but my initial impression is that they’re impressive and that they’ll be competitive.

“The engine impresses me and there are a couple of different little things with the front geometry which seem to make the car work quite well so I’m really looking forward to having a proper attack at it.”

Brothers Todd and Rick Kelly shared Chassis PE045 – the one Todd used for the Sydney Telstra 500 after his old Commodore was ruined at Barbagallo Raceway last month, ironically an accident that Bargs played a part in – so that their new driver could get the most out of his first drive with Kelly Racing.

Rick said that it was great for the team to start working with Bargwanna now as Kelly Racing prepares for next season.

“It's good on a number of levels,” he said.

“Firstly, just for all the guys to get to know Bargs and to have a chat to him and experience what it's like to work with him at a track is good.

“It allows us to hit the ground running next year.

“Also, to get Jason in the car and to feel what it’s like to steer one of our rockets around on a typical Winton in greasy conditions, it’s been good for all of us.

“We’ve all bonded quite well and we’re all pretty excited about next year. We already feel like we’re a team that’s worked together for a while.”

Kelly Racing might have only debuted at the start of the 2009 Championship but by the end of the season the team displayed that it will be a force to be reckoned with next year.

Rick finished on the podium both days at The Island 300 while Todd finished second on the Saturday at Barbagallo Raceway.

Bargs said he was impressed with the team and its ability to communicate.

“It’s fantastic and I really think that this is certainly a team that’s got the credibility to do the job,” he said.

All the best to Bargs next year, late call up to Tasman but I think he did the team proud

good luck Bargs.