The Crittenden Automotive Library

SBR’S PLAN PAYS DIVIDENDS AT QLD RACEWAY

Topics: City of Ipswich 300

SBR’S PLAN PAYS DIVIDENDS AT QLD RACEWAY

Stone Brothers Racing
May 1, 2010

SBR’s plan paid off today when the team’s strategy to conserve tyres in the first part of the opening stint saw Shane van Gisbergen finish the 38 lap race in 3rd place. Van Gisbergen remained patient for the first half of the race dropping back from his starting position of 3rd to 8th while setting consistent lap times on soft tyres. As planned the front runners lap times dropped off halfway through the first stint enabling van Gisbergen to make his move and position himself well before pitting

Wilson Security Racing’s Tim Slade also had a good day on track moving up 9 positions in the 38 lap race to finish 16th. After a frustrating start to the day, qualifying 25th Slade made the best of a bad situation in the race cutting through to the mid-field after stopping for fuel and new tyres on lap 20.

IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison was also set to score a solid result but a failing power steering belt saw him finish 28th.

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

“Last year I learnt how much the soft tyres dropped off in the race so on Friday we did a long run on our practice set to give us an idea on what was the target lap time and how long we could run on them for and we stuck to that in the race.

“I probably conserved a little too much but we were really strong at the end of the stint and then I was able to come back through to the front guys. After the pit stop I was able to push a bit harder, we probably only needed another few laps to catch Craig [Lowndes].

“It was tough to let them all go past at the start but it sure was fun at the end there passing them all almost like they were standing still, I’m sure it was exciting to watch, the soft tyre just adds another element to our racing.

“Today is a great way to bounce back from the disappointment in Hamilton.”

Tim Slade – Driver, Wilson Security Racing Car #47

“Qualifying wasn’t the best way to start the day, but I’m really happy with the way we fought back in the race. The car felt strong on the soft tyres and didn’t miss a beat all day.

“I know this track well so I’m looking forward to qualifying again tomorrow, if we can manage a decent starting position there is no reason why we can’t move up another 9 positions in the race.

“It would be great if we could race on soft tyres all the time, you have so much more grip to make passes and it just makes the racing more exciting for the drivers and the spectators.”

Alex Davison – Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4

“Qualifying today was a huge improvement over practice yesterday. Times around this track are always so close so we just missed out on the top ten.

“Our pace was pretty competitive in the race, although we had dropped a fair way back the car felt good until the power steering belt stripped all its teeth off so we were effectively out of the race.

“Once we got back out on the track we were one of the quickest cars out there.”

IPSWICH 300, QLD Raceway – Race 1 (38 laps) – RESULTS

1 18 Jim Beam Racing/James Courtney
2 888 TeamVodafone/Craig Lowndes
3 9 SP Tools Racing/Shane van Gisbergen
4 1 TeamVodafone/Jamie Whincup
5 2 Toll Holden Racing Team/Garth Tander
6 17 Jim Beam Racing/Steven Johnson
7 33 Fujitsu Racing/Lee Holdsworth
8 15 Jack Daniel's Racing/Rick Kelly
9 5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon/Mark Winterbottom
10 19 Dick Johnson Racing/Jonathon Webb
16 47 Wilson Security Racing/Tim Slade
28 4 IRWIN Racing/Alex Davison

IPSWICH 300, QLD Raceway – Qualifying – RESULTS

1 2 Toll Holden Racing Team/Garth Tander 1:09.8526*
2 18 Jim Beam Racing/James Courtney 1:09.9499
3 9 SP Tools Racing/Shane van Gisbergen 1:09.9803
4 5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon/Mark Winterbottom 1:10.0275 0:00.1749
5 17 Jim Beam Racing/Steven Johnson 1:10.0409 0:00.1883
6 33 Fujitsu Racing/Lee Holdsworth 1:10.2304 0:00.3778
7 22 Toll Holden Racing Team/Will Davison 1:10.2772 0:00.4246
8 888 TeamVodafone/Craig Lowndes 1:10.3083
9 14 Trading Post Racing/Jason Bright 1:10.6301
10 12 Triple F Racing/Dean Fiore 1:10.8342
14 4 IRWIN Racing/Alex Davison 1:10.3355
25 47 Wilson Security Racing/Tim Slade 1:10.5276