Both Shell Fords finish in the top 15
13/6/2004 22:34 (Press Release) -
Shell Helix Racing showed that it was on the improve with both of it's Ford's finishing inside the top 15 in the first V8 Supercar race at Barbagallo Raceway in Perth today.
Both Steve Johnson and Warren Luff had early weekend speed for the first time this season but started today's race in 20th and 28th positions due partly to rain mid-way through the qualifying session.
Both drivers raced strongly with Johnson finishing today's 42-lap race in 13th position with Luff close behind in 15th.
Johnson found the race frustrating but was pleased to see both Shell Ford's higher in the final standings.
"I found the going frustrating," Steven Johnson said.
"I had a really good start but Garth Tander pushed me wide and I lost a few places there; and when Steve Richards went off I got blocked and couldn't pit when I wanted to which also lost me places.
"Despite this it's great to see both me and Warren (Luff) up there and I certainly think we can continue to go forward."
Johnson was also thrilled to be on the pace from the very first session.
"It's good to know that we've got a Ford that is fast," Johnson said.
"We didn't come expecting to win but our recent test was so good that we thought we could make the top ten.
"I would have like to be higher because I think that is realistically where we should be, but it is good to be closer to the top ten than further away from it."
Luff's strong showing came courtesy of some good overtaking and another great pit call from the team.
"It was a great result after the disappointment of qualifying to climb from twenty-eighth to fifteenth," Warren Luff said.
"The guys made the right call with the pit stop strategy, it seems to be one of the strengths of the team, it allowed me to leap-frog quite a few cars.
"We could have had an even stronger stop had both Orrcon cars not been parked in front of us, but it was a great call."
Luff was very satisfied with his performance and is looking forward to tomorrow's final two races.
"Qualifying didn't go our way with the inclement weather and I probably didn't get enough out of my first set of tyres but we've been competitive in all sessions this weekend," Luff said.
"The speed has been impressive, it was good consistent speed, the Ford didn't fall away in the end, we do need to find a bit more (speed) but there where lots of positives to take away from this first race."
Tomorrow's V8 action includes two 42-lap races starting at 10.35am, Perth time (Perth is two hours behind AEST).
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