RADISICH STORMS HOME IN SEVENTH POSITION
22/3/2004 6:22 (Press Release) -
Today’s race two of the V8 Supercars Clipsal 500 got off to a great start today in near perfect conditions.
Surprising team strategy of the Betta Electrical Team today was shown in the opening stages of the race, with both drivers coming in early for the mandatory tyre change.
Wilson in car 888 came in on lap 3 with the “Rat” in car 88 following soon after on lap 6, both cars returning to the circuit in 20th and 23rd positions respectively.
The safety car was required in lap 19, after Warren Luff took out the same tyre barrier that caused the Rat a problem in yesterdays race one.
Radisich and Wilson continued to show excellent pace on the ensuing laps slowly progressing up the leader board and by lap 19 were placed 9th and 8th respectively.
Lap 30 saw Wilson enter pit lane to take on fuel and complete his final pit stop, re-entering the field in 13th position.
Radisich followed Wilson in for his mandatory fuel stop on lap 32, then slotting in ahead of his teammate in 12th position on the circuit.
Both Team Betta Electrical drivers continued to keep the pressure on the leading cars, progressively increasing their way through the field where on lap 51 Wilson was positioned 9th and teammate Radisich in 10th spot in the field.
Lap 53 saw Wilson in car 888 pull to the side of the circuit on turn 9 and come to a halt with a failed ignition sensor, Wilson’s race coming to an abrupt halt.
Meanwhile Radisich continued to climb all over the rear of Bowes Ozemail Falcon, trying desperately to overtake but being blocked on every occasion by Bowe.
After several attempts to pass Bowe in car 12 over the previous 15 laps, Radisich eventually managing to draw level with Bowe approaching turn 12.
Both cars came together traveling at high speed with Radisich managing to keep control of car 88 whilst Bowe came to a halt straddled across circuit at the entry of the turn.
Lap 68 saw a monumental high speed coming together of four cars in turn 8 on the back straight, causing the safety car to re-enter the circuit.
At this stage Radisich was still well placed in 7th position, ahead of the carnage evolving behind him.
Racing commenced again on lap 72 with Radisich keeping the pressure on Rick Kelly in car 15.
At this stage Bowe was given a drive through penalty for an earlier incident, only to be given a second penalty drive through for exceeding the speed limit in pit lane.
The Rat was very pleased with his performance this weekend reflecting after the race, “this car is awesome, I can’t wait for the team to give us the new engines, which are only going to make us more competitive and real force to be reckoned with.”
Wilson was understandably disappointed, but philosophical and said, “I hope we have now got rid of all the bugs and will be ready to race in earnest at Eastern Creek in two weeks time.”
“The car was running well and I am looking forward to a successful season with the planned program that Triple Eight
Race Engineering has for us this year.” “The crowd has been fantastic with the support they have given us,” said Radisich. “We really enjoy racing in Adelaide at such a terrific event that is so well attended by our fans.”
The crowd this year was a record of nearly 240,000 people attending over the four days of the event. Today there was a crowd of 80,000 eclipsing the attendance numbers of previous years. Out of the field of 28 starters in today’s race, only 17 managed to get through to finish.
Release Date: 21/03/2004
Triple Eight Racing
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