Front Row Start For Young Lion
19/4/2004 13:49 (Press Release) -
Practice One - The Young Lion Machines raced out onto the track in formation and started the weekends racing. Steve Owen at the wheel of the 46 Machine was using the session to re-familiarise himself with V8 Supercars and the track. He took the first few laps easy and then started to really see if he could get out some times.
As the session went on the engine seemed to running a little rich and the team will be looking at this before next session.
“It all feels quite good, coming from the Spectrum just two weekends ago it was a bit of an adjustment to the horsepower but I am confident of moving up timesheets by the end of the day.”
Kurt Wimmer on the other hand attacked immediately and had the 3rd fastest time when the session was red flagged at the 13-minute mark. Whilst many others attacked as the session went on, Kurt still finished a creditable 13th with a 1:26.4188
“I was more comfortable with the car at the test last week but still relatively happy with the first session and if I can qualify around 13th I am still confident I can finish in the top ten.”
Practice Two - Whilst both drivers improved their times, the second session ended with the Young Lions in 15th and 16th position meaning that both would compete in the slowest 50% for qualifying.
Steve experienced some more minor powerplant issues that was traced to a faulty spark plug and he was able to see a significant power increase in his last hot lap. This bode well for qualifying and Steve was happily looking at a good result in qualifying.
“I’m glad we have found some more power and in the brief drive I had with everything working right I think the car has a good chance of setting a competitive qualifying time.”
Kurt brought his time down to a flat 1:26 and was still finding it difficult to get the flow and balance he had at the test.
“I’m a little disappointed with the session and I would have hoped to be up the list a little higher but will leave things as they are and see how the new tyres make the car feel.”
Qualifying - In qualifying, both Young Lions cars took off in the first of the qualifying sessions and immediately set the pace, after just three laps the drivers were in P1 and P2 with competitive times. Whilst Kurt was dropped momentarily down to third, he quickly fought back and secured second in the session. While this was going on, Steve Owen in the #46 mobile was on a mission.
After setting and impressive 1:24.2 early, Steve came in for a fresh set of tyres and immediately set off on a flyer with an extremely competitive 1:23.657. This was easily the fastest time in the first qualifying session and the team hoped that after the faster group came out it would still be good enough for a top 5 position.
In what was a tense wait for the team they emerged just two minutes from the end of the second session with Steve’s time still holding on. Unfortunately on his last lap, Winton regular Andy Jones managed to better the time and Steve was moved to position two.
This is the Holden Young Lions first front row start in the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series and Steve has done a wonderful job given that he only agreed to drive on Thursday and only sat in the car for the first time yesterday.
“After hanging on to position one for so long in the session it was ultimately a little disappointing to get beaten to pole. Having said that Andy did a wonderful lap and I have to get a bit more familiar with the car. Tomorrow could prove very interesting.”
Kurt Wimmer in 96 is also happy with his starting position and can see potential for his first top ten finish.
“This is such a competitive series now and when you look at the experience of some the drivers I can’t believe I have a serious chance of a top ten in just my third Supercar meeting. Having Steve set such a hot lap shows the potential of the HYL machines and will push me to improve even more.”
Release Date: 17/04/2004
Holden Young Lions
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