Motorsport: Triple Eight in secret test of V6 Holden

The V6 Holden tested by Triple Eight Racing on the Gold Coast. Photo / news.com.au

The V6 engine is a lap closer to making it to the Supercars grid after Triple Eight Race Engineering underwent top-secret testing for the first time this week.

On a landmark day for the future of the sport, these exclusive images show the Red Bull Racing Australia "Sandman" car cutting 256km at the Norwell Motorplex on Queensland's Gold Coast.

Holden stars Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Steven Richards became the first drivers to pilot a V6 Supercar when they took turns punching out laps as team officials watched on eagerly.

Triple Eight last month announced it would race a wildcard V6 entry next year before abandoning the V8 engine in 2018.

Triple Eight boss Roland Dane last night confirmed the game-changing V6 test was completed on Monday and Tuesday after The Daily Telegraph captured these images showing the "Sandman" car with V6 turbo air intakes cut into the bonnet.

"Yes we have run it," Dane said.

"We ran the engine on Monday and Tuesday."

Dane was reluctant to reveal details about the engine or the program that will deliver the sport the engine that is expected to end the long-running legend of the Australian V8.

But he admitted the engine was powerful enough to match the V8.

"The power is not an issue with the turbo," Dane said.

"But we have to make the delivery as good and as linear as a V8. We don't underestimate the amount of work we have to do. But we are quietly pleased with what we have done so far and we will continue to test behind close doors so we can get it right and be there or there about when we run it as a wildcard next year."

Dane confirmed two of his full-time drivers completed the test along with endurance star Richards.

"It was driven by Craig, Jamie and Steven Richards," Dane said.

"All three have driven it and Shane (van Gisbergen) would have loved to but he was in Townville and then America. He is pretty disappointed about not being able to drive it.

The high-profile trio gave the engine the thumbs up.

"They like being involved in anything different," Dane said.

"It is a big change and Richo drove it extensively and he was very happy with it. But in saying that we are a long way away from putting a product on track that will be capable of winning pole position."

Dane said the Sandman - a promotional car made three years ago - was a perfect tool with which to test the engine.

"It is the ideal test car," Dane said.

"From the moment I saw it three years ago I had it in mind to be a mule test car for whatever engine that would be coming along down the road. GM racing have done a great job giving us a base."