The Crittenden Automotive Library

SVG TO START FROM FIFTH IN BATHURST 1000

Topics: Bathurst 1000

SVG TO START FROM FIFTH IN BATHURST 1000

Stone Brothers Racing
October 8, 2011

Stone Brothers Racing’s (SBR) Shane van Gisbergen will start tomorrow’s Bathurst 1000 from fifth spot on the grid after a dramatic top ten shootout this afternoon.

Having banked his flying lap in perfect conditions, van Gisbergen then watched on as rain once again soaked the mountain circuit, spoiling any chances of those in the second half of the session from a shot at pole position. Greg Murphy was eventually awarded the number one place on the grid.

The #9 SP Tools Racing Falcon will line up behind James Courtney, Craig Lowndes, Will Davison and Murphy.

As decided in qualifying yesterday, Alex Davison and David Brabham in the #4 IRWIN Racing Falcon will start from 13th and Tim Slade and Dan Gaunt in the #47 Lucky 7 Racing Falcon from 15th.

All six of SBR’s drivers enjoyed some final seat-time today and reported positively on their respective cars’ handling in the varied track conditions.

SBR will have the chance to fine-tune their Falcons tomorrow morning in a 20-minute warm-up session at 7.45am, before gridding up for the 161-lap (1000km) race which kicks off at 10.30am.

Shane van Gisbergen – Driver, SP Tools Racing Car #9
“There’s not much I can say about that one – it was a pretty safe lap and we were probably saved a bit by the rain. It was a reversal on our shootout in 2009 where we started with a wet track and it dried as the session went on which didn’t work in our favour, so I’ll take today’s result.”

John McIntyre – Co-Driver, SP Tools Racing Car #9
“I’m again very happy with the car today. I started our practice session on slicks before the rain set in and came in to wait and see whether it was going to get better or worse. We went back out on wets and I felt really comfortable in the car so we decided to put Shane in for some laps in the wet. We have a very good car in the wet, dry, and everything in between, so that element shouldn’t bother us tomorrow.”

Alex Davison – Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4
“I did about five or six laps in the wet and we were up the front time-wise which I was pretty happy with because we weren’t really pushing it. All is looking good for tomorrow.”

David Brabham – Co-Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4
“I’m very happy going into tomorrow – I’ve driven the car in every possible situation – slicks in the wet, wets on a drying track, and the car has been very strong so I’m looking forward to a solid result tomorrow.”

Tim Slade – Driver, Lucky 7 Racing Car #47
“We have a strong package here. I did one lap in today’s session before it started to rain and then handed over to Dan so he could get a bit more time on wets in case the weather heads that way again tomorrow – everything is feeling pretty good.”

Dan Gaunt – Co-Driver, Lucky 7 Racing Car #47
“I think every run in the car I have had different conditions to contend with which is great preparation for a race like tomorrow’s. Other than that I just ran through the different procedures and made sure I was comfortable in the car – which I am. Bring on the race.”