The Crittenden Automotive Library

SBR FEELS THE HEAT AT QLD RACEWAY

Topics: Queensland House And Land.Com 300

SBR FEELS THE HEAT AT QLD RACEWAY

Stone Brothers Racing
August 23, 2009

After having high expectations at their home test circuit SBR experienced another frustrating day on track at QLD Raceway. Disappointed with their starting positions after both cars qualified outside the top ten, van Gisbergen and Davison had their work cut out for them, and with just under half the field still having their soft tyres on reserve it was a long and tough 100km race.

Just over 26,000 race fans turned out to watch today’s double length feature in extremely hot weather conditions. The QLD climate made the driver cabin an uncomfortable place to be in for the race length of just under 1 ½ hours.

Pit Stop Notes

Lap 7 – Car #4 rear tyres only and fuel
Lap 9 – Car #9 four tyres and fuel
Lap 37 – Car #9 four tyres and fuel
Lap 39 – Car #4 four tyres and fuel

Alex Davison – Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4

“We struggled with a bad handling car all day. We didn’t nail a good setup for qualifying and had quite bad oversteer so we were off to a bad start. In the race the car was a handful from the word go.

“On the first lap while we were all battling for position I made up a few spots but once it all settled down and it came down to just outright speed I knew the car wasn’t going to be good enough. I just didn’t have the pace to move forward.

“It was hard work with the heat and it made it even harder that I was fighting with the car. It’s pretty hot out there, I was happy to see the chequered flag!”

Shane van Gisbergen – Driver, SP Tools Racing Car #9

“We didn’t qualify well today, we didn’t have good enough speed on new tyres but were quick on old ones.

“In the race we had no soft tyres to play with after using them up in yesterday’s race and I didn’t get the greatest first lap after losing a few positions.

“The guys did some great pit stops and we managed to pass Tander and Whincup in pit lane.

“It was hard work in the heat, I feel fine physically it’s just a disappointing end to a frustrating weekend for the team.”

Ross Stone – SBR Team Principal

“Today was tough. We had high hopes for this weekend after such a good test day here last week.

“In qualifying today, while we had one SBR car start from second on the grid we just didn’t get our qualifying right for car #4 and #9.

“We used up all our soft tyres in yesterday’s race so today’s race was always going to be hard. After qualifying outside the top ten we just made it even harder for ourselves.

“We know we can get good race speed out of these cars we just need to get qualifying right.”

Get ready. Sydney’s largest motorsport festival is coming......