ORRCON RACING SHOW PACE BUT UNLUCKY IN NZ
10/5/2004 0:27 (Press Release) -
Orrcon Racing drivers Jason Bargwanna and Mark Winterbottom were both amongst the thick of the action at the PlaceMakers V8 Supercar International at Pukekohe in New Zealand today.
Following yesterday’s postponement of the opening race three 36-lap races were held today with Bargwanna starting the opening race from 10th and Winterbottom 23rd.
On a wet track Bargwanna quickly moved up the order in the opening few laps to be in eighth as Winterbottom climbed up the order to be inside the top 20 at the end of lap two.
Holding down his position inside the top 10 for the majority of the race Bargwanna appeared set to claim his third top 10 finish of the season. On lap 27 Bargwanna was spun by Paul Dumbrell who was a lap down dropping the Orrcon Racing driver to 27th.
“It is a very disappointing after holding such a strong position for the majority of the race especially considering the move wasn’t even for a position,” said Bargwanna.
Winterbottom dropped several spots late in the race to cross the line in 25th.
In the second race the pair of Orrcon Racing Falcon drivers moved through the order to both be just outside of the top 15 by mid race.
Bargwanna was collected by a spinning Brad Jones just prior to mid race and pitted just as the safety car was deployed to retrieve Warren Luff from the sand trap.
Following several laps under safety car Winterbottom restarted in 15th spot while Bargwanna was enduring a vibration in the rear end of his car that was caused by a bent differential housing and forced him out of the race shortly after.
Winterbottom held his position to cross the line 15th, ten positions ahead of where he started.
During the opening half of the third race Winterbottom was on the charge towards his first top 10 finish in the Championship and was battling with Todd Kelly, Garth Tander and Tony Longhurst.
On lap 13 Winterbottom’s Orrcon Racing Falcon slowed with an electrical problem caused his fuel pump to fail dropping him to 17th. Despite switching the reserve fuel pump the problem continued and the reigning Konica Champion was forced to pit.
Despite the best effort of the Larkham Motor Sport team the problem sidelined Winterbottom for the rest of the event.
“It was a shame to end this way as the car felt real strong and I was confident of climbing up the order as the race continued,” said Winterbottom.
“I was settling into a good rhythm and my times showed improvement all day as I got more laps under my belt on the track so it was disappointing that we couldn’t show the full potential of the car.”
Bargwanna moved up ten positions from his starting spot to finish 21st.
Jason Bright won the round ahead of Marcos Ambrose and Greg Murphy. Bargwanna finished 13th for the round and Winterbottom 20th.
Ambrose’s second place elevates him to the lead of the Championship while Bargwanna slipped to 13th and Winterbottom is 20th.
The next round of the Championship will be held in Darwin on May 21-23.
V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 3
RACE ONE – TOP 10
1. Marcos Ambrose (Ford)
2. Jason Bright (Holden)
3. Paul Radisich (Ford)
4. Greg Murphy (Holden)
5. Max Wilson (Ford)
6. Steven Richards (Holden)
7. Rick Kelly (Holden)
8. Craig Lowndes (Ford)
9. Craig Baird (Holden)
10. John Bowe (Ford)
25. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)
27. Jason Bargwanna (Ford)
RACE TWO – TOP 10
1. Jason Bright (Holden)
2. Marcos Ambrose (Ford)
3. Greg Murphy (Holden)
4. Steven Richards (Holden)
5. Rick Kelly (Holden)
6. Paul Weel (Holden)
7. Paul Radisich (Ford)
8. Steven Johnson (Ford)
9. Jason Richards (Holden)
10. Russell Ingall (Ford)
21. Mark Winterbottom (Ford)
DNF Jason Bargwanna (Ford)
RACE THREE – TOP 10
1. Jason Bright (Holden)
2. Greg Murphy! (Holden)
3. Marcos Ambrose (Ford)
4. Steven Richards (Holden)
5. Rick Kelly (Holden)
6. Paul Weel (Holden)
7. Russell Ingall (Ford)
8. Steven Johnson (Ford)
9. Jason Richards (Holden)
10. Garth Tander (Holden
21. Jason Bargwanna (Ford)
DNF Mark Winterbottom (Ford)
ROUND RESULTS
1. Jason Bright – 190
2. Marcos Ambrose – 184
3. Greg Murphy – 182
4. Steven Richards – 168
5. Rick Kelly – 166
6. Paul Weel – 152
7. Russell Ingall – 146
8. Steven Johnson – 140
9. Paul Radisich – 138
10. Jason Richards – 134
27. Mark Winterbottom – 54
29. Jason Bargwanna - 36
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1. Marcos Ambrose – 532 points
2. Steven Richards – 528
3. Greg Murphy – 509
4. Rick Kelly – 502
5. Jason Bright – 457
6. Craig B! aird – 364
7. Russell Ingall – 350
8. Paul Weel – 347
9. Steven Johnson – 341
10. John Bowe – 326
13.Jason Bargwanna – 306
20.Mark Winterbottom - 234
Release Date: 02/05/2004
Larkham Orrcon Racing
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