Jones Takes First Pole Of 2004 Konica Minolta Season
21/2/2004 20:18 (Press Release) -
Brad Jones Racing's Andrew Jones has firmed as one of the favourites to take out the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series after taking pole position in today's qualifying session at Wakefield Park, Goulburn, with a fastest lap time of 59.8707.
With the recent announcement of BOC Gases as Jones' major sponsor for the 2004 season, Jones did not disappoint the many people who have suggested Jones will take the 2004 crown.
"We are really happy with today and with how the car has been performing, especially with BOC Gases and Simes Tyres on board this year," Jones said. "The level of competition will be very high so I am really looking forward to getting a good start this weekend."
Jones battled for the fastest qualifying time of the day with new Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series recruits Cameron McLean, who has secured a drive with Howard Racing, and Alan Gurr. Gurr drove for the Smiths Trucks team in the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 endurance event and secured a drove with the Ballarat-based team for 2004.
McLean qualified with the second fastest lap time of the day with a time of 1:00:1527 ahead of Gurr and Gulf Western/Jayco Racing's Matthew White.
"We are really happy with how we are placed for the first race tomorrow," Gurr said. "So far the weekend has gone really well and with having Lee (Holdsworth) on board in the second car this year, it will be a really good opportunity to learn from each other and improve on different aspects after each round."
Team Fujitsu showed they will be a force to be reckoned with this year with both Dick Johnson Racing prepared cars qualifying in the top ten. Owen Kelly finished the day in the number 71 car with the fifth fastest lap time of the day and Jose Fernandez in the number 81 car, finished two positions behind Kelly in seventh spot.
All the excitement of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series continues tomorrow at Wakefield Park, Goulburn with the first race commencing at 11:30am.
Sunday 22 February
9.30am - 9.50am Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Warm Up
11.30am Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Race 1 (17-laps)
1.20pm Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Race 2 (17-laps/Reverse Grid)
3.10pm Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Race 3 (30-laps)
Race End Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Podium Presentation
After Podium Konica Minolta V8 Supercars Media Conference
Top Ten Positions
1. #19 Andrew Jones BOC Gases 0:59.8707
2. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing 1:00:1527
3. #70 Alan Gurr Smiths Trucks 1:00:2844
4. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western/Jayco 1:00:4168
5. #71 Owen Kelly Team Fujitsu 1:00:5809
6. #60 Brad Tilley Speed FX Racing 1:00:6527
7. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu 1:00:8427
8. #55 Mal Rose Rupprecht Motorsport 1:00:9515
9. #56 Kevin Mundy Actron Air/PCR 1:00:9910
10. #111 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing 1:01:1302
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