BELT LOSS HAMPERS McLEAN’S CHANCES
27/4/2004 2:51 (Press Release) -
Howard Racing’s Cameron McLean experienced highs and lows during today’s three race event in round 3 at Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria’s north west.
Yesterday’s qualifying session proved frustrating for the team, with such a tight twisting circuit.
“We just couldn’t get the best set-up for the car to negotiate the turns here” – said McLean.
After qualifying in an uncharacteristically low 9th position with a time of 1:24.7157 for car 27, the team went back to basics in preparation for the race one of today’s three -race event.
Mark Howard driving the second of the teams AU Ford Falcons experienced similar handling problems finally qualifying car 37 in 26th position with a time of 1:26.5762.
Race one saw several altercations amongst the front runners with Owen Kelly and Steve Owen coming together at turn ten in Owens attempted move to take over the lead, seeing his Young Lions entry, car 46 slide off the circuit and into the tyre wall.
Cameron McLean’s Howard Racings car 27 put in a strong performance managing to avoid the battles taking place around him, although still unhappy with the car’s handling characteristics, managed to bring the car home undamaged and in 6th position.
McLean lined up on the grid for race two, hopping for an improved placing over race one, only to be disappointed when a pulley belt broke on the engine causing valuable time to be lost in the pits whilst it was replaced, finally finishing in a very uncharacteristic 20th position.
“Lady Luck was not on my side in this race” - said McLean.
“The boys in the team had made a great improvement in the cars handling and I was confident that I could improve on my sixth position in race one, however it wasn’t to be” – McLean commented.
Team owner Mark Howard driving the second team entry was pleased with his improved finishing position in race two, coming home in 13th spot.
“I make no secret of it, “ said Howard,
I’m only a novice when it comes to this category of motor sport, but I do enjoy the challenge and I am improving on my performance with each round so far” – Howard commented.
Race three saw it all come together for Cameron McLean, although a despondent Owen Kelly in the team Fujitsu Falcon could only watch as his car was towed back to the pits after experiencing overheating problems on the grid, leaving Mark Porter alone on the front row of the grid.
The race got off to a rapid start, however Porters chance was short lived after breaking an axel on lap 6, putting out of race win contention.
Luke Youlden surged to the lead with Cameron McLean in hot pursuit.
McLean was limited in passing opportunities around the short twisting circuit and had to be content with finishing in second position for this third and final race of the day.
“I only wish the boys in the team had been able to arrive at this et-up for the car earlier in the day, I might have had a better overall result for the round, but these things happen and that’s motor racing” – Mclean commented.
‘I’m now looking forward to round 4 at Eastern Creek’s Festival of Speed on May 28-30 and trust I can equal my past performances there again this year” – McLean concluded.
Mark Howard in car 37 drove consistently in the final race, keeping out of trouble and brings the second team entry home in 18th position.
RACE RESULTS
Race Three Top Ten
1. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing 24-laps
2. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing/Weathered & Howe
3. #19 Andrew Jones Team BOC
4. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujitsu
5. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil/Jayco
6. #98 Grant Elliot Sydney Star Truck & Bus
7. #69 Robert Jones Spies Hecker Racing
8. #65 Marcus Zukanovic Actron Air/PCR
9. #64 Tony D'Alberto Independent Race Cars - Australia
10. #72 Lee Holdsworth Smiths Trucks
Race Two Top Ten
1. #71 Owen Kelly Team Fujistu 17-laps
2. #46 Steve Owen Holden Young Lions
3. #111 Mark Porter TKR/Hydraulink Racing
4. #65 Marcus Zukanovic Actron Air/PCR
5. #69 Robert Jones Spies Hecker Racing
6. #40 Wayne Wakefield Greenfield Mowers Racing
7. #19 Andrew Jones Team BOC
8. #89 Adam Wallis Rupprecht Motorsport
9. #32 Jay Verdnik Hi-Trans Racing
10. #98 Grant Elliot Sydney Star Truck & Bus
Race One Top Ten
1. #19 Andrew Jones Team BOC 16-laps
2. #30 Luke Youlden Super Cheap Auto Racing
3. #111 Mark Porter TKR/Hydraulink Racing
4. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil/Jayco
5. #40 Wayne Wakefield Greenfield Mowers Racing
6. #27 Cameron McLean Howard Racing/Weathered & Howe
7. #71 Owen Kelly Team Fujistu
8. #300 Tony Evangelou Dexion Racing
9. #96 Kurt Wimmer Holden Young Lions
10. #81 Jose Fernandez Team Fujistu
Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series Points Top Ten
1. #30 Luke Youlden 491pts
2. #28 Matthew White 457pts
3. #81 Jose Fernandez 441pts
4. #27 Cameron McLean 441pts
5. #111 Mark Porter 423pts
6. #19 Andrew Jones 391pts
7. #71 Owen Kelly 386pts
8. #89 Adam Wallis 377pts
9. #98 Grant Elliot 358pts
10. #66 Gary MacDonald 330pts
Release Date: 19/04/2004
Howard Racing
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