BIG WET PROMPTS RACE POSTPONMENT
9/5/2004 13:13 (Press Release) -
The first of three races in the third round of the 2004 V8 Supercars Championship Series was washed out in New Zealand today, leaving Mark Skaife on pole for a rescheduled three races tomorrow.
The first race of three was due to be held this afternoon but continual rain left several areas of the track awash with water with officials deciding it was too unsafe for drivers to risk their safety by racing.
The threat of continued rain overnight has prompted officials to consider the need to move the racecars to higher ground, out of pit lane because of the likelihood of flooding.
The racing schedule for tomorrow has been revised to fit the shortened three races, all of which will be 36 laps, instead of the two scheduled 56 lap races.
“It is very dangerous out there, when you start to get the cars aquaplaning down the main straight then that does present a very dangerous situation indeed” - said Radisich.
“I really feel for the supporters today, they have been waiting in the rain all day to see the V8’s and now they have to return tomorrow and perhaps endure more of the same conditions” Radisich concluded.
The morning practice session saw competitors use extreme caution as visibility was down to only a few meters.
Wilson and Radisich driving the two Team Betta Electrical Ford Falcons displayed restraint in the extremely wet conditions with Wilson driving car #888 posting a time of 1:05.4936 registering 15th fastest, whilst Radisich in car #88 posted the 29th fastest time of 1:07.0153.
Yesterday’s qualifying session saw Jason Bright of Paul Weel Racing break the existing lap record by posting a time of 0:56.3655 and setting the pace that will be required for the three race event here this weekend.
In the TopTen shootout the conditions had deteriorated further, as the times showed. Whilst Bright had set a new record yesterday, no new records were set in the treacherous conditions today. The fastest qualifier was Mark Skaife with a time of 1:04.7477. Times were close with only 2.8753 seconds separating the top ten cars. Both Wilson and Radisich seemed to have some problems in the wet but held on to come up with starting positions of 6th for ‘The Rat ‘ with a time of 1:06.5501,in car # 88 and Wilson at 8th in car #888 with a time of 1:06.5796.
Circuit Details: PUKEKOHE PARK RACEWAY
Venue: Pukekohe Park Raceway, 40km south of Auckland
Circuit Distance: 2.82km
Circuit Direction: Clockwise
Maximum Speed: 240 km/h (Front Straight)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: (NZ local time)
Sunday – to be confirmed
10am – Race 1 – 36 laps – 100kms
1.10pm – Race 2 – 36 laps – 100kms
3.40pm – Race 3 – 36 laps – 100kms
TV TELECAST - Network Ten
Sunday - Noon - 5:00pm (AEST)
Release Date: 01/04/2004
Team Betta Electrical - Triple Eight Engineering
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