The chase is on to finish 2011 strongly for Orrcon Steel duo
Thursday, December 1st, 2011
Mark Winterbottom is aiming to finish the season third in the Championship
After a long 2011 V8 Supercars Championship season, the Orrcon Steel-backed Ford Performance Racing team is looking to round out the season with a strong result in Sydney for the Sydney Telstra 500 this weekend.
Both Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison have the opportunity to finish in the top five of the Championship – and in the two years since it’s inception, the circuit that utilises Sydney Olympic Park has proven to be nothing but unpredictable.
Key points ahead of this weekend:
-Mark Winterbottom can finish third in the Championship (he’s currently 35 points ahead of Shane van Gisbergen).
-Will Davison has the opportunity to finish fifth in the Championship – with his current consistent form – he is well placed to leapfrog Garth Tander and get into the top five.
-In terms of Championship points scored from Gold Coast onward, both of the Orrcon Steel-backed FPR machines are in the overall top three
-The pair are looking for their first win on the streets of Sydney
QUOTES FROM THE DRIVERS:
Mark Winterbottom – #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
“It’s the last race and a lot of importance is placed on that, everyone wants to go out on a high.
“It’s a huge event as you really want to finish the year off with a strong result so you can start the new year with momentum.
The Orrcon Steel backed duo enter the final race quietly confident
“Once again there will be a big contingent from Orrcon Steel watching on, so we’ll be out there giving it our best and giving them something to cheer for.
“The Sydney weather is always unpredictable at this time of year, especially out west. It could be 40 degrees or result in a storm like last year. It’s a tough circuit to begin with, let alone adding those temperatures to it.
“Being in the car when it is really hot adds another element to the race – with fatigue, concentration and trying to keep your fluids up.
“Looking at the forecast, it may not be overly hot – which will be good for us in the car and the spectators at the track – but you never know.”
Will Davison – #6 Trading Post FPR Falcon
“Homebush is such an awesome event, last year was a lot of fun. The track is very cool – it’s a real challenge and you have to have your wits about you.
“It’s all about getting through to the end of the race – you’ve got to be mentally and physically tough – each one of those 250km races is a long way.
A great sight - the two Team Steel Falcons out front!
“It’s a great feeling to go into every race now feeling confident and knowing that you have the car underneath you to get the job done.
“I am really enjoying my racing at the moment, the FPR team is working well and it’s fantastic to have their support. The car is there or thereabouts so that we can be challenging for wins.
“That’s our aim this weekend, especially with so many of the people from Orrcon Steel watching us, along with Telstra – Trading Post’s parent company – being the naming rights sponsor of the event.
“The pressure’s on.”
SYDNEY TELSTRA 500 DETAILS:
Circuit: Sydney Olympic Park Street Circuit
Location: Homebush Bay, New South Wales
Circuit Length: 3.4km
FORMAT:
Friday: 4 x 30 minute practice sessions (NB: First 2 for bottom 50% in Championship)
Saturday: 1 x 20 minute qualifying, Top 10 Shooutout, 1 x 250km race
Sunday: 1 x 20 minute qualifying, 1 x 250km race
Qualifying Lap Record: 1:28.7999 (Lee Holdsworth – 2010)
Race Lap Record: 1:29.3901 (Craig Lowndes – 2010)
2010 Saturday Pole Position: Lee Holdsworth
2010 Saturday Race Winner: Johnathon Webb
2010 Sunday Pole Position: Lee Holdsworth
2010 Sunday Race Winner: Lee Holdsworth
VIDEO PREVIEW:
Mark Winterbottom and Will Davison preview the Sydney Telstra 500.
