thirty cars took to the track today all competing to set the fastest lap time to get a good position for race one. With green tyres on The Bottle-O Commodore was on the pace from the start, and steadily punched out times in the late 1.10s.
Coming in to pit for a tyre change Tony got straight back on with the job, setting his fastest time for the qualifying session, a 1.10.31.
'The car was great to drive. We have improved our times from last year, and are only .9 off the leading time set. I am happy with our qualifying position in the mid 20s and am keen to get on with the race.'
Soon enough the jet flew over and the Australian anthem was sung as the V8s fired into life for race one.
'We went out on hard tyres, I got a really good jump off the line, but came in contact with Slade at the final turn on lap one. I lost all the positions I had gained'
The thirty cars remained packed together with car temperatures being tested. Cabin temperatures soon hit 50 as Tony had Wood firmly set in his sights, to then find himself caught in the middle as Fiore was hot on his heals.
A late pit stop stratagy saw Tony circulating the track as others pulled in to pit, moving him up the order.
'We played a late pit stop stratagy which didn't work out for us in the end. The second set of tyres performed well but it was all to late to gain positions. We came out of the stop further back in the field then we were hoping for, but thats the risk you take.'
Finishing the the 34 lap race in 26th position the team have some changes to make tonight in order to improve performance, but will be back tomorrow for qualifying and race two.
Qualifying begins at 11am, and race two soon follows at 2.35pm.
Last Modified on 29/06/2009 14:26