Tilley Matches Pole Time At Wakefield Park In First Outing In Konica Minolta V8 Supercar
19/2/2004 4:21 (Press Release) -
In a great boost for their fledgling team, Brad Tilley drove the Decina Bathroomware Falcon for the first time at Wakefield Park and matched the pole position time from last year.
This was the Speed FX Racing Team's first test day and driver, Brad Tilley's first outing in a V8 Supercar. With Stone Brothers Racing's crew chief, Ben Croke and Engine Shop Manager Jamie Noonan on hand, the Team had a drama free introduction to the class.
Tilley completed around eighty laps with the times whittling away till the last session where a succession of laps close to the lap record ended with a time of 60.05 seconds matching the pole time from last year.
There was collective smiles and even some surprise that such a time could be achieved in the first outing with the car, when Data Manager, Ian Pollard confirmed the time in the pits.
After two successful years in the 'Biante National Historic Touring Car Series', the Jim Morton owned team with its roots deep in karting is moving to the Konica V8 Supercars.
The Team has purchased the Stone Brothers, 03 Konica Series winning Falcon driven by Mark Winterbottom.
" You know its only a couple of years since Mark was racing for us and won the two most prestigious Australian Championships in Karting", Jim Morton said today. "Our company imported Italian karts for nearly thirteen years and during that time supported many talented karters", he said.
Morton's driver list is extensive and includes Jason Bright, James Courtney, Alan Gurr, Leanne Ferrier, Adam Clarke [speedway], Mark Winterbottom and Michael Caruso running for his team over the years.
"When the Italian factory I imported from came out here we even had Jarno Trulli in our team one year along with four other current or future World Champions", he said.
After feeling there was little left to achieve in karting, Morton acquired a 69, Mustang Boss 302 and installed Sydney, long time Group N driver, Brad Tilley behind the wheel.
Two wonderful seasons followed where Tilley won 17from 27 races and established lap records at every track they went to along the way to winning the 'Biante National Historic Touring Car Series' in 2002 and 3.
The Konica - Minolta Team will be based in Sydney with preparation by Tilley's Automotive with some logistical support from Stone Brothers. The Teams primary partner is Australia's largest specialist bath and spa bath manufacturer, Decina Bathroomware.
Release Date: 17/02/2004
Speed FX Racing
|
|
