Busy afternoon for Orrcon Steel-backed FPR boys

Mark Winterbottom battled into the top 10 today at Winton.

The team-mates were involved in a spirited battle throughout the mid-sector of the race, however Davison had no choice but to succumb to the new trigenarian Winterbottom as the soft Dunlops on the #6 Trading Post FPR Falcon fell away.

Davison – who was showing good car speed as he got past Winterbottom – dropped away significantly in the late part of the race as the tyres wore down.

Winterbottom had a sniff at some additional placings as a battle that involved Alex Davison, Jason Bright and Fabian Coulthard threatened to go pear-shaped. He was able to get past Coulthard, however a charging James Courtney (who had fresher tyres than most in his group) did a number on Frosty on the final lap.

The start of the race was exceptional for the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon driver – making good on his promise that race speed would be solid – a first corner fracas didn’t assist his forward momentum.

Earlier in the day, the pair put in an exceptional qualifying performance to be inside the top 10, Winterbottom eighth, with Davison ninth. Winterbottom mentioned the car was suffering from understeer post qualifying – but had confidence of a good race setup.

The drivers were locked down in debrief following the race and tomorrow, the re-set button is hit on the field – another 20 minute qualifying session takes place and then all 28 V8 Supercars are unleashed for a 67 lap encounter on the 3.0 kilometre circuit.

QUOTES FROM THE DRIVERS:
Mark Winterbottom – #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon:
“Early on the race speed was good – I got an awesome start, but that first corner didn’t help us.

“It was a good battle with Will during the middle of the race and towards the end there I thought I was in with a shot of making up some more places. It was a shame that James got past us on the final lap, but we did what we could.

“We’ve still got work to do overnight to get the car moving forward and I think we can do that. Tomorrow’s another day.”

Will Davison – #6 Trading Post FPR Falcon
“The race was good until the tyres went away!” Davison said. “I enjoyed the battle with Frosty, you never like battling with your team-mate, but it was fun.

“Qualifying in the top 10 was good, I was happy with where we were and thought we might have had something for the race.

“Overnight we have to look at the data and see what changes we can make for tomorrow’s longer race. Let’s hope we can make forward progress then.”

RACE SCHEDULE:
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Qualifying: 10:05am-10:25am
Race 2: 1:05pm (67 laps)

TELEVISION SCHEDULE:
Times subject to amendment, please check local guides:

SEVEN NETWORK:
Saturday, May 21, 2011
2:30pm-5:30pm – Qualifying and Race 1 (Local time, all markets)

Sunday, May 22, 2011
Qualifying and Race 2
12:00pm-3:00pm – Local Time – Sydney, Melbourne & Perth – Seven Network
12:00pm-3:00pm – Local Time – Adelaide – 7mate
2:30pm-3:30pm – Local Time – Brisbane 7mate – NB: Qualifying ONLY
3:45pm-5:30pm – Local Time – Brisbane Seven Network
10:30pm-1:30am – Local Time – Adelaide Seven Network – NB: Qualifying and Race 2 Replay

RACE REPLAYS:
SPEEDTV AUSTRALIA – Channel 206 (HD) or 505 on Foxtel/Austar
Saturday, May 21, 2011
9:30pm-11:00pm –Race 1

Sunday, May 22, 2011
5:00am-6:30am – Race 1
7:00pm-9:00pm – Race 2

Monday, May 23, 2011
1:00am-3:00am – Race 2
3:00pm-5:00pm – Race 2

Tuesday, May 24, 2011
8:00pm-11:30pm – Races 1 & 2