SBR’S KIWIS GO ONE BETTER ON THE GOLD COAST

Topics:  Armor All Gold Coast 600, Shane van Gisbergen, John McIntyre

Stone Brothers Racing
October 24, 2010

Shane van Gisbergen has scored his best ever Championship race result today finishing second with teammate John McIntyre in the second race of the Armor All Gold Coast 600. After finishing third in yesterday’s opening race, today’s back to back podium finish sees the Kiwi duo leave the Gold Coast as the overall round winners in the inaugural year of the ‘new look’ event.

It was an intense end to 102 laps with van Gisbergen dicing with Jamie Whincup for the lead. In what will be remembered as one of the all time epic battles van Gisbergen came close to passing but was unable to pull up the SP Tools Racing Falcon in time to make a clean move, banging doors with Whincup and keeping the SBR crew on the edge of their seats.

After a promising start to the weekend the IRWN Racing Falcon was out of the race early when Brabham made contact with the wall at Turn 11. Dicing with HRT’s Cameron McConville, Brabham was in the fight for 11th position when the impact put him out of the race just 4 laps in.

The race for a solid position was over for the Wilson Security Racing duo of Tim Slade and Helio Castroneves on Lap 39 when Castroneves was involved in a tangle with the #17 DJR Falcon driven by Steven Johnson. The SBR crew managed to repair the car and send it back out to finish the race with Tim Slade crossing the line five laps down in 19th position

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

“It was on at the end there! I was trying pretty hard but Jamie [Whincup] wasn’t making any mistakes. Today was the first time this weekend we have been really up there and following Jamie through the chicane, I picked up quite a lot from him as far as how he approached corners and lines on the track.

“I got inside him at one stage but couldn’t pull it up enough to make a clean pass, but thanks to everyone at SBR for preparing such a strong race car. It was just a great fight today and great to finally crack second place, we have taken the next step and it’s even better to do it with Johnny Mac!”

John McIntyre – Co-driver, SP Tools Racing Car #9

“When you start a deal like this and you know you’re going to be driving with someone like Shane and the goals we set it was never a question of a podium it was more what step.

“I really enjoyed my stint at the start there running against Warren Luff we were both having a good go but there was no where I could really pass him safely without jeopardising the car for Shane later on.

“Getting to watch Shane race at the end there, he has matured so much, every time he goes out there he just improves so I really enjoyed watching him today.

“The whole event was just fantastic to be part of, I can’t wait to come back with SBR next year and try and take the next step with Shane.”

Tim Slade –Driver, Wilson Security Racing Car #47

“Just another tough day and the end to what was a frustrating weekend for the team because Helio had good pace and as Shane and John proved the SBR cars were strong.

“It was cool to be out there racing against some of the world’s best and to work with Helio this weekend was great, I would love to be able to come back next year with him and finish strong.”

Helio Castroneves – Co-driver, Wilson Security Racing Car #47

“It’s a shame, I was in much better shape for the race today, I was understanding it all alot more and even though I was a lap down I was right there with the leaders pace.

“Our strategy was going really good and the boys on car #47 had done a great job but unfortunately I found the limit again, this time at Turn 12 spinning out. I was able to come back and we tried to get our lap back but didn’t get there.

“This category is so competitive, I am biased but for me Shane won the race today, the racing was so close and the event was awesome!”

Alex Davison – Driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4

“Of course today was very disappointing after our good result yesterday. We didn’t go fantastic in qualifying, but I gave it my best shot and I left nothing in the garage.

“It all ended very quickly though through no fault of David’s). He made a great start; he passed Cameron McConville in a fantastic move around the outside of Turn 4, perfectly clean. McConville seems to have silly accidents. For sure, he got a run on David out of the beach chicane, but just because you get a run on someone doesn't mean the car ahead disappears and you can just keep your foot down.

“The natural line of where you drive (out of the chicane) is out to the left so you can take the next right hander, both cars went in the same direction and Cameron went straight into the back of our car and put David into the fence. I’m pretty bitter at the moment, it's such a shattering end to what could have been another really good day.”

David Brabham – Co-driver, IRWIN Racing Car #4

“ I got a good start and got up to 12th and was settled into a rhythm and went through the back chicane and the rear stepped out so I lost a bit of momentum and as you come out of the corner the car goes to the left because of where the speed takes you. I looked in the mirror and saw Cameron [McConville] on my left and thought what’s he doing there and I didn’t even see the wall and then bang and that was it.

“I'm upset for the team, the car felt good straight away and was a great car to work with. Not the result we wanted but I have had such a fantastic time working with the Stone Brothers Racing team and Alex, I had a great time and thank them for the opportunity.”

The Stone Brothers Racing Team will now make the short trip back to workshop to begin preparations for the Falken Tasmania Challenge, November 12 – 14.

Armor All Gold Coast 600 – Race 2 (300kms) RESULTS

1 1 TeamVodafone J.Whincup/S.Owen
2 9 SP Tools Racing S.Van Gisbergen/J.McIntyre
3 5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon M.Winterbottom/L.Youlden
4 18 Jim Beam Racing J.Courtney/W.Luff
5 55 The Bottle-O Racing Team P.Dumbrell/J.Villeneuve
6 15 Jack Daniel's Racing R.Kelly/O.Kelly
7 22 Toll Holden Racing Team W.Davison/R.Briscoe
8 39 Supercheap Auto Racing R.Ingall/J.Perkins
9 33 Fujitsu Racing L.Holdsworth/G.Ritter
10 888 TeamVodafone C.Lowndes/A.Priaulx
19 47 Wilson Security Racing T.Slade/H.Castroneves
DNF 4 IRWIN Racing A.Davison/D.Brabham

Armor All Gold Coast 600 – Qualifying RESULTS

1 5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon/Mark Winterbottom 1:12.0389*
2 6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon/Steven Richards 1:12.3944
3 18 Jim Beam Racing/James Courtney 1:12.4122
4 1 TeamVodafone/Jamie Whincup 1:12.4846
5 14 Trading Post Racing/Jason Bright 1:12.5381
6 9 SP Tools Racing/Shane van Gisbergen 1:12.5608
7 33 Fujitsu Racing/Lee Holdsworth 1:12.5680
8 55 The Bottle-O Racing Team/Paul Dumbrell 1:12.5869
9 8 Team BOC/Jason Richards 1:12.5888
10 15 Jack Daniel's Racing/Rick Kelly 1:12.7159
17 4 IRWIN Racing/Alex Davison 1:12.9858
23 47 Wilson Security Racing/Tim Slade 1:13.2287