Howard Racing Sets A Blistering Pace In Round One
23/2/2004 0:53 (Press Release) -
Howard Racing displayed a blistering pace in round one of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar series at Wakefield Park this weekend.
Yesterdays qualifying saw Cameron McLean driving the Howard Racing Au Falcon car 27 posting the second fastest time of the day with a 1:00.1527 and lining up beside pole position winner Andrew Jones for today’s race one of round one in the 2004 series.
McLean is no slouch when it comes to motor racing, having an enviable history in motor sport dating back to 1995 when he claimed the Australian Sports Sedan Championship against tough competition.
This experience being reflected in today’s practice session, where McLean recorded a lap time under the one-minute barrier of 59.7 seconds.
Race one was run at a cracking pace right from the green light with today’s temperature of 27 being more tolerable for both drivers and machines.
“I began this race feeling quite confident” – said McLean.
“The team had performed an excellent job in preparing the car, even in practice this morning I managed to break the one minute lap time, so things were looking good”.
“It was a good close race and I was encouraged further by finishing in third position in a very competitive field indeed” – he said.
Race two saw a full reverse grid positioning with Young Lions Michael Caruso and team mate Howard Racings Mark Howard sharing front row of the grid.
It wasn’t long into the race when rain began to fall with the race being stopped after 12 laps.
The race saw some contentious decisions made in respect to an incident between McLean and Jones resulting in a protest being lodged against McLean after a coming together between Howard Racings car 27 and Jones BOC Gasses car 19.
McLean was subsequently penalised 17 seconds and stripped of 58 points, resulting in McLean being shuffled back and finishing the race in 16th position.
“I’m not happy at all about the outcome of this incident,” commented McLean. “I really consider it to have been a racing incident – nothing more, nothing less.” “I ‘m disappointed with the outcome,” said McLean.
Race three saw light showers commence whilst McLean in Howard Racing’s AU Falcon was leading the race.
As the race progressed the rain became heavier, with officials deciding the danger was too great, red-flagging the field and allowing all competitors to enter the pits to changer to wet weather tyres.
Again McLean re-entered the circuit posting an impressive performance to finish 3rd behind Mathew White and Andrew Jones.
“The outcome should have been better, “ said McLean, “the weekend has certainly been a mixed bag for the team, not that we have disgraced ourselves, 2 third positions and an unwarranted 16th in race 2 is not too bad for the first round of the season,” - said McLean. “It’s going to be an interesting year with all teams lifting their game to the next level this year”.
”There was some pretty serious racing going on out there today and that can only be good for spectators, sponsors and the sport as a whole. “
“The team at Howard Racing had certainly given me a very competitive race car this weekend and I can say with that kind of performance I will be looking to secure as many race wins as possible this season,” - McLean concluded.
The team’s second entry, car 37, driven by team owner, Mark Howard, was a little less fortunate in the outcomes of today’s three-race event, finishing 24th, 10th and 19th respectively.
“Although I enjoy the racing, I still have a lot of experience to gain, “ said Howard. “However in saying that, with each event I have gained confidence and will continue to keep improving on my previous round’s performance. The cars ran well this weekend, which is a credit to the team”.
“With Cameron McLean on board this year, it has certainly assisted in raising the profile of the team with an expectation of a race win in perhaps the next round at Adelaide’s Clipsal 500 in March,” - Howard concluded.
Top Ten Positions Race Three (Second Race)
1. #19 Andrew Jones BOC Gases 14-laps
2. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil/Jayco
3. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing
4. #70 Alan Gurr Smiths Trucks
5. #90 Phillip Scifleet Rupprecht Motorsport
6. #72 Lee Holdsworth Smiths Trucks
7. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing
8. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu
9. #64 Tony D'Alberto Independent Race Cars
10. #65 Marcus Zukanovic Actron Air/PCR
Top Ten Positions Race Two
1. #55 Mal Rose Rupprecht Motorsport 12-laps
2. #46 Michael Caruso Holden Young Lions
3. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing
4. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing
5. #111 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing
6. #71 Owen Kelly Team Fujitsu
7. #89 Adam Wallis Rupprecht Motorsport
8. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu
9. #96 Kurt Wimmer Holden Young Lions
10. #64 Tony D'Alberto Independent Race Cars
Top Ten Positions Race One
1. #70 Alan Gurr Smiths Trucks 17-laps
2. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil/Jayco
3. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing
4. #19 Andrew Jones BOC Gases
5. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu
6. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing
7. #111 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing
8. #90 Phillip Scifleet Rupprecht Racing
9. #64 Tony D'Alberto Independent Race Cars
10. #56 Kevin Mundy Actron Air/PCR
Top Ten Point Score after Round One
1. #70 Alan Gurr Smiths Trucks 166pts
2. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing 166pts
3. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil/Jayco 160pts
4. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu 158pts
5. #64 Tony D'Alberto Independent Race Cars 144pts
6. #72 Lee Holdsworth Smiths Trucks 136pts
7. #111 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing 136pts
8. #89 Adam Wallis Rupprecht Motorsport 134pts
9. #19 Andrew Jones BOC Gases 122pts
10. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing 122pts
Release Date: 22/02/2004
Howard Racing
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