Youlden Looking To Take The Heat Off At Wakefield Park
23/2/2004 1:01 (Press Release) -
Super Cheap Auto Racing's driver, Luke Youlden will draw on specialised fitness training and strategy to propel him up the order of tomorrow's three sprint races for round one of the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship at Wakefield Park.
The 26 year old completed today's qualifying session in 12th position with the track temperature reaching a massive 54 degrees.
"I am dumbfounded," Youlden said, "I think the car can do it but I just couldn't put it all together today."
While a number of Youlden's competitors struggled to cope with the above average heat, Youlden managed to keep cool with additional training in the off season helping him to remain in top physical condition.
"I have been training for the heat so that wasn't a factor today's performance. I knew it would be hot, so I changed my training schedule to help me be more prepared," Youlden said.
Super Cheap Auto Racing's Team Manager, John McLean believes that with the right strategy Youlden will turn around today's qualifying performance to a top five finish.
"When you start on the wrong foot, you seem to be wrong footed for the rest of the day, but tomorrow is a different day and we are looking forward to getting on the track and racing," McLean said.
"It is just the first part of the weekend with tomorrow's program being three sprint races, one of those a reverse grid race, we will need the strategy to ensure we finish the round in the best position possible. With that in mind we will still be trying to win as many races as we can."
Youlden also identifying the need for a solid performance in the reverse grid race to cement a sound opening position in the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship.
"Reverse grid races can be championship wreakers as I learnt last year, this year we need to be even more tactical in the way that we approach them to help me later in the series," Youlden concluded.
Another dimension coming into play for tomorrow's racing will be race craft, with a number of competitors making their V8 Supercar debut at Wakefield Park this weekend.
"Race craft will come to the fore tomorrow for the reverse grid race. There are a number of new drivers out there, many who we do not know what they race like," McLean said.
Tomorrows racing will kick off at 11.30am with a 17 lap race. After an additional 17 lap reverse grid race, a 30 lap final will determine who will lead the 2004 Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Championship after the first round.
Release Date: 21/02/2004
SuperCheap Auto Racing
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