The Crittenden Automotive Library

VAN GISBERGEN 3RD ON DAY 1 OF THE SYDNEY TESLTRA 500

Topics: Sydney Telstra 500

VAN GISBERGEN 3RD ON DAY 1 OF THE SYDNEY TESLTRA 500

Stone Brothers Racing
December 4, 2009

Stone Brothers Racing drivers, Shane van Gisbergen and Alex Davison got their first taste of the new 3.4km circuit around Sydney Olympic Park today on Day 1 of the inaugural Sydney Telstra 500 showcase event. Van Gisbergen’s aggressive and brave driving style was rewarded on the narrow track as he set the third fasted time of the day on the demanding street circuit.

After what was a disaster weekend for the SBR team in Perth the SP Tools Racing FG Falcon was hot on the pace early and remained consistently inside the top ten across both 50 minute practice sessions. On the other side of the garage IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison was the first car out on the track in this morning’s Practice Part A running 13 laps throughout the 35 minute session.

Davison returned to the garage at the session’s halfway point to replace a buckled wheel after he made contact on the driver’s side at turn 5. Although there was only minor damage suffered in the incident Davison quickly learned the limits of Sydney’s new concrete jungle.

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

“At first we just built up into the circuit and ran through the programs, I had a really long first run and we didn’t change much on the car because it felt great straight away. Towards the end of the session we just made little tweaks and the car responded the way we wanted every time.

“The track is so bumpy, there are some corners where you have to be precise and others where you just have to go for it so there is a bit of a balance there. It’s a track that suits me and my driving style so hopefully we are still up here at the end of tomorrow.

“A podium would be awesome tomorrow, that’s been our goal all year and I would love to achieve it, I am not far behind Russel [Ingall] in the Championship points so we have the chance to move up inside the top ten. We will just keep doing what we are doing and see what happens.”

Alex Davison – Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4

“The track was very tight, it’s pretty tough because it’s just intense the whole time out there. You just can’t relax and can’t afford the slightest lapse in concentration or you’ll be in the fence or up the escape road before you know it.

“I was just building my way into it at my own pace and by the time we got into the second session I felt more in control. It wasn’t the best result for the day so tonight we will be working on getting the car hooked up well like it should be and like we know it can.”

Paul Forgie – Engineer Car #9

“It was awesome really, after a disastrous performance in Perth it’s just nice to be back where we belong. It’s a new track which evens things out for everyone, Shane seems to adapt really well to these sorts of circuits which helps a lot. Our car is obviously pretty good as well, we need to qualify well in the morning to give us a real shot at a podium, this weekend is our last chance to do it and we are ready for one!”

Tomorrows 250km race is sure to be an action packed and gruelling event for the 28 car field as the V8 Supercars run 74 laps around Sydney Olympic Park when the light goes green at 2:35pm.