Andrew Jones Wins Final Race
23/2/2004 0:50 (Press Release) -
BOC Falcon driver, Andrew Jones has comprehensively won the third and final race of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship round at Goulburn’s Wakefield Park, wrapping up an eventful day for the young Albury based star.
“It was a fitting result for the team in race three. We didn’t have much luck in the first two races, so at least winning in the last gives us something to take away from the weekend,” said Jones.
Starting from pole position for this morning’s opening encounter, Jones uncharacteristically stalled his BOC Falcon on the start line, dropping back to 13th position. Brave and aggressive driving, saw him force his way through the field to eventually gain nine places to finish in 4th place.
“I guess I was just too eager to get off the line in race one. It was disappointing after working so hard yesterday to get pole position,” Jones added.
“I can tell you that when I saw twenty five other cars bearing down on me, I managed to start the car pretty bloody quickly. I don’t think I’ve ever got going after a stall so quickly in my life,” Jones joked.
Race two will be one that Jones will want to quickly forget. Starting on the second last row of the grid due to the reverse grid formula, he was hit extremely hard by a fellow competitor in the first corner melee, ripping the steering rack clean from its mountings. The result was a shattering and ill-deserved did-not-finish, which cost the title contender a certain podium.
“It was just crazy, there were drivers just doing ridiculous things in the first corner. First I got hit from the rear and then I was launched into the air by someone else. I would have thought that there would have been some more intelligence going on,” Jones added.
Relegated to 20th position on the grid for the rain-marred race three, Jones was superb in blitzing the field to cross the line in first place. His maturity and skill display was beyond his years.
With round two of the 2004 Championship less than a month away at the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide, Jones’ 9th place overall for this round still keeps him well in contention to take out the title.
“We’ll have to finish every race in a decent position now to give the championship a shake but I know we capable of doing it. I can’t wait to get to Adelaide next month,” Jones concluded.
Release Date: 22/02/2004
Brad Jones Racing
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