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 dont 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
