V8 Supercars: Round 7, Winton Raceway, Victoria

[fpv_gtho]

This weekend the V8's are at Winton, the test track for most of the Victorian based teams, which is in stark contrast to last round at Queensland Raceway, which was the test track for the QLD based teams. Ultimately, a QLD based driver took out the last round, and FPR, based in Cambellfield, just kilometres from the Prodrive Australia, FPV and Ford Australia plants, have completed their first 2 test days of the season leading up to Winton.

(quoted from www.v8supercars.com.au)
The following is a detailed lap of the Winton Motor Raceway to be used as the venue for the seventh round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series this weekend. Also find following thoughts, results and memorable moments relating to this venue from both Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall.

FAST FACTS
• Marcos Ambrose won this round from pole last year
• Marcos Ambrose is the defending series champion and the current series leader
• Russell Ingall recorded his only V8 Supercar pole at Winton in 2001
• Ingall and Ambrose have just completed a two-day trail bike ride on Fraser Island, which was part of an RPM feature on Network Ten last Sunday

WINTON RACEWAY – A LAP WITH MARCOS AMBROSE

You pass the new pits and hit the limiter in fifth at the end of the straight, jam down a couple of gears and turn and aim to bounce off the curb on left hand side. Hopefully that will get the car pointing in the right direction to go through the right-hand exit.

On the exit you use all the track you can, including some of the old pits on the inside of the track and blast down to the old turn one. The road drops away here so you are actually turning in blind.
The track is very narrow, you want to use the outside curb, but be careful not to put a wheel over the edge. This is actually two turns blended into one. If you can get out cleanly you can jump up to fifth for the fastest corner of the track.

You drop down to fourth and travel at about 200kms. You fight the car on the exit of this sweeper. Depending how successful you have been depends on your next move.

The track moves right and you need to hit the curb to get the car straight to brake for the hairpin. Then there is another series of right and left turns in second gear. There is no overtaking you just need to get through here and get a clean run on to the short chute.

You then go into a second-gear left hander on to the new part of the circuit and blast your way down the back straight. You just get up to fifth gear before notching back to second for the right hander.

This part of the circuit is very flat, so you need to be careful because the car tends to jump around a bit. The next right hander is vital in getting a good run on to the straight.

Power down is what the game is all about here as you head back to the start-finish line. My last couple of pole laps here have pretty rewarding. This is a place were qualifying is vital.

THOUGHTS ON WINTON…..

MARCOS AMBROSE – PIRTEK RACING
Any circuit where you don’t use top gear with your shortest differential ratios is too slow. I prefer high-speed flowing circuits and Winton is not that. While saying that, Winton does produce its own set of challenges which usually result in good racing. It has been a good feeling to take the pole at this circuit the last two years, considering most of the Victorian-based teams use it has their home test track. It was also pleasing to crack my first win at the venue last year – a result I am hoping we can repeat this time around.

MOST MEMOR ABLE MOMENT
I think my last couple of poles here have been pretty memorable considering this is the home test track for so many Victorian-based Holden teams.

CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (After round 6 of 13)
Current Points: 1064 (1st)
Debut: 2001
Starts: 45
Poles: 15 – Queensland 300, Eastern Creek (2004); Sandown, Oran Park, Queensland Raceway, Winton, Eastern Creek (2003); Phillip Island, Oran Park, Winton, Qld 500, Sandown (2002); Eastern Creek, Qld 500, Bathurst (2001)
Race wins: 14 (Last win – Queensland 300, 2004)
Round wins: 10 – Queensland 300, Adelaide Clipsal 500 (2004); Eastern Creek, Oran Park, Hidden Valley, Barbagallo, Winton, Eastern Creek (2003), Sandown (2002); Hidden Valley (2001)

WINTON RECORD
2003 – Qualified 1st; Race 1: 1st; Overall: 1st
2002 – Qualified 1st; Race 1: 2nd; Race 2: 4th; Overall: 3rd
2001 – Qualified 18; Race 1: 5th; Race 2: 3rd; Overall: 5th

THOUGHTS ON WINTON…..

RUSSELL INGALL – CALTEX HAVOLINE RACING
Winton had been my test track for many years before joining SBR last season. It is a bit like racing around your backyard even after they extended it, but such a small track always seems to produce good racing. The country race fans are a great bunch and always polite, which makes going to the meeting a lot of fun. They certainly enjoy themselves and we enjoy putting on a show. SBR had a strong result at Winton in 2003, with both cars in the top four, so I am looking forward to returning there.

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT
It was probably in 1997 sitting behind Larry (Perkins), who was leading for the entire race. All I kept thinking was how much trouble I would get into if I tipped him off. I did not take the risk. I thought job security was a better option. My pole and round win in 2001 is also a pleasing memory.

RUSSELL INGALL - CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS (After 6 of 13 rounds)
Current Points: 808 (6th)
Debut: 1996
Starts: 101
Poles: 1 Winton (2001)
Race wins: 24 (Last Win – Race 1, Hidden Valley, Darwin, 2004)
Round wins: 10 – Surfers Paradise (2003) Queensland Raceway (2003), Winton (2001); Qld 500 (1999); Lakeside, Mallala, Hidden Valley (1998); Phillip Island, Winton (1997); Calder (1996)

WINTON RECORD
2003 – Qualified 4th; Race 1: 4th; Overall: 4th
2002 – Qualified 14th; Race 1: 9th; Race 2: 6th; Overall: 7th
2001 – Qualified 1st; Race 1: 2nd; Race 2: 1st; Overall: 1st
2000 – Qualified 11th; Race 1: 8th; Race 2: DNF; Race 3: 7th; Overall: 10th
1999 – Qualified 3rd; Race 1: 4th; Race 2: 3rd; Race 3: 2nd; Overall: 3rd
1998 – Qualified 4th; Race 1: 1st; Race 2: 2nd; Race 3: 3rd; Overall: 2nd
1997 – Qualified 2nd; Race 1: 2nd; Race 2: 1st; Race 3: 1st; Overall: 1st

TRACK FACTS – WINTON – ROUND 7

Winton Motor Raceway - Benalla, VIC
July 23-25, 2004
Track Length: 3.00 km
Avg Speed: 129 kph
Max Speed: 240 kph
Round Format: 1 X 300km race
2003 result – 1st Marcos Ambrose, 2nd Jason Bright, 3rd Steven Richards
Qualifying Record: Jason Bright (Holden Commodore, 2002) 1:22.6618
Lap Record: Jason Bright (Holden Commodore, 2002) 1:23.1514

CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1: Marcos Ambrose 1064
2: Steven Richards 1006
3: Jason Bright 951
4: Rick Kelly 924
5: Greg Murphy 811
6: Russell Ingall 808
7: Garth Tander 780
8: Todd Kelly 741
9: John Bowe 638
10: Steven Johnson 597

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday 23 July
2:00pm - 3:30pm - Practice 1

Saturday 24 July
9:25am – 10:00am - Practice 2
11:40pm – 12:15pm – Practice 3
1:50pm – 2:10pm – Qualifying (Lower 50%)
2:15pm - 2:35pm - Qualifying (Upper 50%)
4:05pm - 4:35pm - Top 10 Shoot Out

Sunday 25 July
10:10am – 10:30am Warm Up
1:00pm - Race (100 laps)

TV TELECAST – NETWORK TEN
Sunday – July 25, 2004
1.30pm-2.30pm – RPM

[SlickHolden]

My brother is leaving today friday to go to winton, I would have gone but i have footy saturday night and cant make it, He is takeing a video camera up there to snap some fotage, I also got him to do the unthinkable for a ford man i ask him to stand in line and grab mark skaifes autograph for my hat lol

[fpv_gtho]

well hopefully he doesnt loose it, then claim somene stole it after it ws signed or something......them ford guys can be ricky, especially when theyre your brother


well Big Pond just released new details about their live timing for the v8's, i think you can view it worldwide now

[fpv_gtho]

Pos Car Entrant Driver Vehicle Laps Fastest Lap Fastest Lap Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VY 33 8 1:24.3013
2 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 24 7 1:24.8762 0:00.5749
3 51 Kmart Racing Team Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 27 9 1:24.8873 0:00.5860
4 9 Caltex Havoline Race Team Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 24 8 1:24.9135 0:00.6122
5 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VY 28 10 1:24.9183 0:00.6170
6 50 PWR Performance Products Jason Bright Holden Commodore VY 33 21 1:25.0658 0:00.7645
7 11 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 19 6 1:25.0908 0:00.7895
8 21 OzEmail Racing Team Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 21 5 1:25.1544 0:00.8531
9 16 PWR Performance Products Paul Weel Holden Commodore VY 22 12 1:25.1911 0:00.8898
10 29 Sirromet - Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VY 29 6 1:25.2252 0:00.9239
11 44 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Simon Wills Holden Commodore VY 26 8 1:25.2822 0:00.9809
12 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VY 26 6 1:25.2985 0:00.9972
13 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VY 28 25 1:25.3302 0:01.0289
14 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 23 7 1:25.3337 0:01.0324
15 12 OzEmail Racing Team John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 25 20 1:25.3426 0:01.0413
16 021 Team Kiwi Racing Craig Baird Holden Commodore VY 19 6 1:25.4190 0:01.1177
17 31 Super Cheap Auto Racing Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 25 12 1:25.4787 0:01.1774
18 5 Ford Performance Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 31 5 1:25.5059 0:01.2046
19 48 WPS Mark Noske Ford Falcon BA 31 27 1:25.5929 0:01.2916
20 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 24 19 1:25.6550 0:01.3537
21 15 Kmart Racing Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VY 29 14 1:25.7431 0:01.4418
22 23 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 24 19 1:25.7470 0:01.4457
23 888 Team Betta Electrical Max Wilson Ford Falcon BA 29 16 1:25.8120 0:01.5107
24 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 28 9 1:25.8215 0:01.5202
25 17 Shell Helix Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 29 20 1:25.8315 0:01.5302
26 8 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 16 6 1:25.9587 0:01.6574
27 88 Team Betta Electrical Paul Radisich Ford Falcon BA 25 8 1:26.1324 0:01.8311
28 3 Tasman Motorsport Jason Richards Holden Commodore VY 28 5 1:26.1519 0:01.8506
29 45 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Dale Brede Holden Commodore VY 31 23 1:26.1532 0:01.8519
30 18 Shell Helix Racing Warren Luff Ford Falcon BA 30 27 1:26.1826 0:01.8813
31 6 Ford Performance Racing Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 21 13 1:26.4558 0:02.1545
32 7 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Tony Longhurst Holden Commodore VX 21 5 1:26.6047 0:02.3034
33 14 IMS Will Davison Holden Commodore VY 26 19 1:26.7115 0:02.4102
34 24 Romano Racing Garth Walden Ford Falcon AU 28 24 1:29.5517 0:05.2504

[fpv_gtho]

Pos Car Entrant Driver Vehicle Laps Fastest Lap Fastest Lap Time Gap
1 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VY 15 12 1:38.1434
2 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 16 12 1:38.1709 0:00.0275
3 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 18 14 1:38.4886 0:00.3452
4 6 Ford Performance Racing Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 14 14 1:38.8290 0:00.6856
5 021 Team Kiwi Racing Craig Baird Holden Commodore VY 14 14 1:38.9495 0:00.8061
6 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VY 15 12 1:38.9551 0:00.8117
7 50 PWR Performance Products Jason Bright Holden Commodore VY 14 10 1:39.4442 0:01.3008
8 17 Shell Helix Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 14 14 1:39.4800 0:01.3366
9 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VY 15 12 1:39.4851 0:01.3417
10 9 Caltex Havoline Race Team Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 17 13 1:39.5184 0:01.3750
11 16 PWR Performance Products Paul Weel Holden Commodore VY 15 11 1:39.6115 0:01.4681
12 23 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 15 11 1:39.7006 0:01.5572
13 7 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Tony Longhurst Holden Commodore VX 13 13 1:39.7611 0:01.6177
14 18 Shell Helix Racing Warren Luff Ford Falcon BA 15 10 1:39.8008 0:01.6574
15 12 OzEmail Racing Team John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 15 12 1:39.8351 0:01.6917
16 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 15 12 1:39.9148 0:01.7714
17 29 Sirromet - Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VY 14 14 1:39.9676 0:01.8242
18 8 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 10 7 1:39.9989 0:01.8555
19 48 WPS Mark Noske Ford Falcon BA 15 11 1:40.0098 0:01.8664
20 3 Tasman Motorsport Jason Richards Holden Commodore VY 14 11 1:40.0486 0:01.9052
21 11 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 10 10 1:40.1386 0:01.9952
22 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VY 14 10 1:40.1510 0:02.0076
23 44 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Simon Wills Holden Commodore VY 12 9 1:40.4858 0:02.3424
24 888 Team Betta Electrical Max Wilson Ford Falcon BA 11 9 1:40.5923 0:02.4489
25 15 Kmart Racing Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VY 8 4 1:40.6630 0:02.5196
26 21 OzEmail Racing Team Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 15 15 1:40.6965 0:02.5531
27 31 Super Cheap Auto Racing Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 12 12 1:40.7479 0:02.6045
28 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 15 11 1:40.7974 0:02.6540
29 45 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Dale Brede Holden Commodore VY 15 10 1:41.1693 0:03.0259
30 14 IMS Will Davison Holden Commodore VY 10 10 1:41.1806 0:03.0372
31 5 Ford Performance Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 15 11 1:41.2357 0:03.0923
32 88 Team Betta Electrical Paul Radisich Ford Falcon BA 14 14 1:41.5136 0:03.3702
33 51 Kmart Racing Team Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 4 3 1:43.1001 0:04.9567
34 24 Romano Racing Garth Walden Ford Falcon AU 14 11 1:45.8510 0:07.7076
35 43 PWR Performance Products David Krause Holden Commodore VX 2 2 1:50.5941 0:12.4507

[fpv_gtho]

Pos Car Entrant Driver Vehicle Laps Fastest Lap Fastest Lap Time Gap
1 021 Team Kiwi Racing Craig Baird Holden Commodore VY 1 1 1:39.7544
2 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VY 1 1 1:40.1497 0:00.3953
3 17 Shell Helix Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:40.8093 0:01.0549
4 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:40.9232 0:01.1688
5 9 Caltex Havoline Race Team Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:41.0724 0:01.3180
6 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VY 1 1 1:41.2289 0:01.4745
7 6 Ford Performance Racing Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:41.2608 0:01.5064
8 50 PWR Performance Products Jason Bright Holden Commodore VY 1 1 1:41.5280 0:01.7736
9 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 1 1 1:41.5283 0:01.7739
10 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VY 1 1 1:42.0074 0:02.2530

[fpv_gtho]

Can someone explain how the f*ck Baird is on pole, Steven Johnson is the top ford in 4th, Lowndes is in 7th and Greg Murphy's back in 33rd?

[SlickHolden]

Originally Posted by fpv_gtho

Can someone explain how the f*ck Baird is on pole, Steven Johnson is the top ford in 4th, Lowndes is in 7th and Greg Murphy's back in 33rd?

I was just thinking that myself how the F*ck lol is he on pole did the field stay home for the day lol

[fpv_gtho]

lol yeah, something like that. i checked it out and the shootout was run in the wet, so that wouldve made it somewhat unpredictable and played around with the conditions

[motorsportnerd]

I almost fell off my chair when I saw Baird on pole. Then I thought, "you beauty, with a grid like that tomorrow's race will be a good one".

I'll be more amazed if he wins. And Baird is one of the few Holden drivers I support - being a kiwi and all...

[fpv_gtho]

well he deserves the attention and credit hes bound to get from it, i mean it was only barbagallo that steven richards of all people got his first pole position, and now the small TKR operation has already matched that. the start should prove interesting though, the 1st 2 rows consisting of baird, tander, johnson and ambrose. my prediction is ambrose is gunna lead tander ito the 1st or second corner after the start.

the team will have to do alot of work though to get him to win, if any top team can get in second before the pitstops they should have the race won, as i doubt TKR will be able to match the pitstop speed of the top level teams like SBR.

i was reading an article about him getting pole position though, and whilst they were commending him for being one of few kiwi drivers, when they pointed out whoch ones were kiwi, they forgot to mention radisich

[fpv_gtho]

Pos Car Entrant Driver Vehicle Laps Race Time Fastest Lap Fastest Time
1 33 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Cameron McConville Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:18.5237 10 1:25.6944
2 15 Kmart Racing Team Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:18.7435 9 1:25.5763
3 50 PWR Performance Products Jason Bright Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:18.9935 96 1:25.1995
4 9 Caltex Havoline Race Team Russell Ingall Ford Falcon BA 100 02:34:20.5513 10 1:25.4972
5 51 Kmart Racing Team Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:24.6302 62 1:25.5848
6 31 Super Cheap Auto Racing Steve Ellery Ford Falcon BA 100 02:34:25.0609 41 1:25.6055
7 22 Holden Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:25.2460 40 1:25.4168
8 29 Sirromet - Life Style Wine Paul Morris Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:29.9863 14 1:25.6842
9 34 Repco Valvoline Cummins Team Garth Tander Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:30.8221 3 1:25.2623
10 5 Ford Performance Racing Glenn Seton Ford Falcon BA 100 02:34:31.3188 43 1:25.4866
11 3 Tasman Motorsport Jason Richards Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:32.5691 10 1:26.0256
12 45 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Dale Brede Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:33.1162 47 1:26.0203
13 11 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Steven Richards Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:36.2126 57 1:25.9886
14 75 Toll Racing Anthony Tratt Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:36.7181 10 1:25.9966
15 10 Larkham Orrcon Racing Jason Bargwanna Ford Falcon BA 100 02:34:38.9401 9 1:25.8761
16 8 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VY 100 02:34:39.9080 12 1:25.8174
17 7 Castrol Perkins Motorsport Tony Longhurst Holden Commodore VX 100 02:34:40.5617 47 1:26.2654
18 12 OzEmail Racing Team John Bowe Ford Falcon BA 100 02:35:29.6857 6 1:25.2321
19 88 Team Betta Electrical Paul Radisich Ford Falcon BA 99 02:34:38.4649 11 1:25.9179
20 18 Shell Helix Racing Warren Luff Ford Falcon BA 99 02:34:39.3700 87 1:25.9332
21 48 WPS Mark Noske Ford Falcon BA 99 02:35:35.1060 46 1:25.8637
22 021 Team Kiwi Racing Craig Baird Holden Commodore VY 98 02:34:42.9244 3 1:25.6617
23 44 Roadships/Alphawest/World Ind Simon Wills Holden Commodore VY 97 02:34:52.1235 11 1:25.3280
24 21 OzEmail Racing Team Brad Jones Ford Falcon BA 97 02:34:54.9007 48 1:25.6579
25 20 Larkham Orrcon Racing Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon BA 97 02:34:55.6048 31 1:26.1390
26 1 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford Falcon BA 82 02:34:21.3187 79 1:25.3497
27 6 Ford Performance Racing Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon BA 79 02:34:53.8761 30 1:25.6958
28 2 Holden Racing Team Mark Skaife Holden Commodore VY 75 02:34:26.4776 75 1:24.7913
DNF 17 Shell Helix Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon BA 95 02:27:15.4770 5 1:25.9099
DNF 888 Team Betta Electrical Max Wilson Ford Falcon BA 94 02:27:20.3862 12 1:26.4348
DNF 23 WPS David Besnard Ford Falcon BA 54 01:25:27.0379 5 1:25.8731
DNF 16 PWR Performance Products Paul Weel Holden Commodore VY 49 01:17:02.6531 18 1:25.8133
DNF 14 IMS Will Davison Holden Commodore VY 1 1:47.5086 1 1:47.5086

[IBrake4Rainbows]

Bit of controversy still hanging over the win, with Second place complaining that McConville Passed under yellow in a thrilling move on the second-last conrner of the racecourse. However the marshals ruled that it wasn't under yellow, and so McConville gets the win.

[fpv_gtho]

man that wasnt the only controversial part of the race, it was just one of the ones the stewards had anything to do with

i suppose if you only looked for the yellow flag you might have thought the move was illegal, but the replay with crompton analysing it, it definately looked like cam had his nose behind kelly by the green flag was shown again.

the only thing worse than rick kelly's voice normally though, is him when hes about to cry or something (now im just being slack)

[IBrake4Rainbows]

I noticed that in the after-race interview, he reminded me of Shannon Noll.

"What About Me.........."

Ah well, i'd be whinging too.....