The Crittenden Automotive Library

SHANE SIXTH AT SYMMONS

Topics: Falken Tasmania Challenge

SHANE SIXTH AT SYMMONS

Stone Brothers Racing
May 30, 2009

SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen took part in his second ever Shootout after finishing 4th quickest in the second leg of Qualifying earlier today. The SP Tools FG Falcon started from 7th position on the grid for the 42 lap race at the Symmons Plains International Circuit.

The SBR team were happy with Alex Davison’s efforts qualifying the IRWIN Tools Falcon in 17th.

At the end of Leg 1 in Qualifying last year at Symmons Plains the top 20 cars were covered by 0.5 of a second, this year the field was further condensed separated by only 0.4 of a second. The gap between the top twenty cars today’s V8 Supercar feature promised and delivered an action packed race to the chequered flag.

The option of ‘sprint tyres’ played a huge part once again in the initial stages of Race 7 of the Championship Series with just under half the field opting to start on the Dunlop soft compound tyre.

SBR’s strategy was to start both cars on soft tyres and make a pit stop for fuel only at the halfway point. Davison was called in on Lap 17 while van Gisbergen made his compulsory stop the following lap, both running to plan.

In the closing stages of the race as the field had completed their necessary pit stops van Gisbergen found himself fighting for position with Holden’s Todd Kelly in front and Ford’s Craig Lowndes behind. On the final lap the #9 car crossed the finish line in 6th, while teammate Alex Davison lost a position to Ford’s Mark Winterbottom bringing the IRWIN Racing Falcon home in 17th position.

Shane van Gisbergen – Driver SP Tools Racing Car #9
“We were hoping for a podium finish today but 6th is nothing to sneeze at. The times are so close here, the first 15 cars broke the lap record which proves how competitive this series is getting.
“I am looking forward to tomorrow’s race, we have a good car to build from for Qualifying so it would be great to finish inside the top 5.”

Alex Davison – Driver IWRIN Racing Car #4
“Just after the start of the race the tyres went off, the car had no grip which made the race pretty hard for me. After the race we found that the tyre pressures were too high, during the last 10 laps we were a sitting duck.

“We will reset for tomorrow, we have a green set of tyres for qualifying so hopefully we will put them to good use and start from the pointy end for Race 2.”