Cartwright’s Challege Of A Lifetime
26/2/2004 1:54 (Press Release) -
The first round of the series did not quite go to plan for V8 rookie driver Jamie Cartwright. The weekend certainly showed all the highs and lows that come with the sport. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the boys in the team were extremely busy and worked long and hard on the car all weekend, but unfortuantly it was not going to be of any benefit to Jamie.
Jamie who has won the drive this year in the Chance of a Lifetime AU, only just got to qualify the car, with no track time, and never having even sat in the car before, but was only able to compete in Race 3, until it was red flagged due to the rain.
“It was a very frustrating weekend, for not only myself but for the boys working on the car, and the rest of the team”, said Jamie.
“We were unable to take part in any of the practice sessions, due to a technical glitch regarding the compulsory Fire Bombs, which also affected some other teams, as well as a few mechanical problems and then to top it off we were given incorrect information by the stewards, so we only managed 5 laps in the qualifying session. Those 5 laps were the only time that I have ever had in a V8 SuperCar”.
Sunday morning started to show more promise, Jamie went out in warm up showing great speed in a car that still was not set up for the tight twisty circuit, but come time for race one, those gremlins reappeared.
“The car would go well in racing, but would not restart when it was hot, so when I came back into pit lane before the start of the first and second race, the car would not fire back up.
“We had to prove to the officials that it would start under its own power, and it wouldn’t. I watched the race from pit lane, which was very disappointing”.
Race three, Jamie started from pit lane, and quickly showed the potential we know he has by passing several of the field in the wet conditions and being placed as high as 20th in a field of 28 within 3 laps. It was at this point that many of the drivers complained about the visibility, even Owen Kelly was suffering the same problem, telling his team he had to pit.
“Like Owen I also had to be talked into pit lane as I could not see anything at all, we came in during the Safety Car, cleared the windscreen, and I was looking forward to working my way back through the field, but this weekend was not to be”.
When the red flag came out, that was the end of Jamie’s race, wets were put on the car, but it refused to restart.
Many thanks to all that worked with us on the weekend, but most of all thanks to the small and dedicated crew from MOPRO who just slaved away all weekend and never gave up on getting the car on the track. Just think about the next round where we will be very “Busy” racing towards the front of the field.
The next Konica round will be at the Clipsal 500, in Adelaide next month. Jamie is now looking forward to showing everyone what he is capable of doing.
Jamie’s personal sponsor, Busywear.com will be launching their range of clothing, and wait until you see the Busygirls.
For Jamie, the Busyboy of V8’s the wait will be worth it. So until then, Keep Busy!
Release Date: 25/02/2004
Chance of A Lifetime Racing
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