Morris Qualifies 24th In V8 Supercars At Albert Park
4/3/2004 19:23 (Press Release) -
Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driver Paul Morris today qualified 24th for tomorrow's opening race in the Netspace V8 Supercar Challenge on the Albert Park street circuit in Melbourne. The event comprises a 10-lap race tomorrow, a 19-lap event on Saturday, and a 10-lap race on Sunday before the Foster's Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Morris clocked a best time of 2-mins 2.450-secs around the 5.3km track in qualifying, held in warm conditions. He drove a total of 13 laps in qualifying in his VY Commodore, which is powered by a Holden Motorsport engine.
Earlier in the day the 36-year-old from Queensland's Gold Coast was 22nd in practice with a best lap time of 2-mins 2.781-secs. He completed 14 laps in the session.
Greg Murphy will start from pole position in tomorrow's race after emerging fastest in the one-lap Top 10 Shoot Out with a time of 1-min 58.977-secs in a Kmart Commodore. The Shoot Out was contested by the top 10 drivers in qualifying. Mark Skaife was second in the Shoot Out in a Holden Racing Team Commodore.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "I did as many laps as anyone because it's the first race of the year and I wanted to get back into the groove of driving again after the break. We tried some different things with the car set-up, but we haven't got it working the way we want it just yet. There are some more things to try so I'm not too worried. It was hot today and we tried two sets of new tyres. The new air conditioning system worked well. Tomorrow will be a tough race because we're starting a long way back and we've got to try and come through the field."
RESULTS - TOP 10 SHOOT OUT:
POS DRIVERS CAR TIME
1. Greg Murphy Kmart Holden Commodore 1:58.977
2. Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Commodore 1:59.257
3. Jason Bright PWR Holden Commodore 1:59.834
4. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Ford Falcon 2:00.243
5. Steven Richards Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 2:00.604
6. Garth Tander Repco Valvoline Holden Commodore 2:00.861
7. Rick Kelly Kmart Holden Commodore 2:00.863
8. Paul Radisich Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 2:01.088
9. Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore 2:01.141
10. Simon Wills Team Dynamic Holden Commodore 2:03.760
OTHER:
24. Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore 2:02.450
Release Date: 4/03/2004
Sirroment/Paul Morris Motorsports
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