Home Track Success Beckons Orrcon Racing
29/6/2004 19:11 (Press Release) -
As the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship season draws towards the middle of the season it is clearly visible that the Gold Coast based Orrcon Racing team have been the big improvers in the Championship.
With the Championship heading to the team’s home circuit, Queensland Raceway, this weekend for the Queensland 300 Orrcon Racing believe that they again have the ingredients for a good result.
The longer races have seen Orrcon Racing shine the brightest this year with both cars running inside the top 10 in the second 250km race at Adelaide and at the 300km single race round in Eastern Creek where Jason Bargwanna claimed eighth and Mark Winterbottom 12th.
After the opening two rounds Bargwanna had elevated the team to inside the top five in the extremely competitive Championship.
“In the first half of the year the entire team has stepped up a gear and our results have really shown the effort put in by everyone, from the crew to the drivers and management,” said Bargwanna.
“Now it is time to take the next step and take the challenge to the leaders in the Championship.
“In the two longer races held already this year we have been right in the thick of the action, all year we have had a consistent race pace giving me confidence entering this weekend.
“While being fairly simple in its layout the track itself is still a very technical and demanding one, especially over the long 90-lap race.”
Winterbottom continues to climb up the ranks in the Championship aboard the number 20 BA Falcon and now sits inside the top 15 in the point standings.
Growing in confidence with every round Winterbottom is excited about competing on the track that he is the most familiar with in a V8 Supercar.
“Queensland Raceway is definitely what I’d refer to as my home track now with it being my test track for the past two years,” said Winterbottom.
“The longer races have really suited the team this year and I have been training hard for this part of the Championship where we head back into the longer races.
“Last week we had our first real test day for the year where the team tried some different variables with set ups that really seemed to help the car.
“A test day is always good to blow out the cobwebs before the actual race weekend and ensure you stay on top of your game, now I can’t wait to get back in the car on Friday.”
Marcos Ambrose currently leads the Championship on 872 points. Following Ambrose is Rick Kelly on 822 narrowly ahead of Steven Richards (820), followed by Greg Murphy (811) and Jason Bright (783). Bargwanna is 13th (496) a mere 75 points outside the top ten with Mark Winterbottom a further 50 points in arrears in 15th.
The pair of Orrcon Racing Falcons will hit the track for the first time in Round 6 of the V8 Supercar Championship on Friday July 2 at 2:30pm for a 35-minute practice session. A further 35-minute practice session will be held at 10:35 on Saturday morning followed by qualifying beginning at 1:35pm followed by the top 10 shootout at 4:15pm. The round is highlighted with the 90-lap race on Sunday beginning at 1:45pm that will include a two compulsory pit stops for fuel and tyres.
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
After 5 of 13 rounds
1 Marcos Ambrose - 872
2 Rick Kelly - 822
3 Steven Richards - 820
4 Greg Murphy - 811
5 Jason Bright - 783
6 John Bowe - 638
7 Russell Ingall - 634
8 Garth Tander - 600
9 Todd Kelly - 597
10 Paul Weel - 569
11 Steven Johnson - 543
12 Mark Skaife - 540
13 Jason Bargwanna – 496
14 Craig Baird - 448
15 Mark Winterbottom – 442
16 Craig Lowndes - 414
17 Paul Radisich - 400
18 Brad Jones - 396
19 Paul Morris - 394
20 Max Wilson - 390
21 Glenn Seton - 365
22 Paul Dumbrell - 347
23 Jason Richards - 343
24 Tony Longhurst - 314
25 David Besnard - 314
26 Warren Luff - 306
27 Simon W! ills - 304
28 Anthony Tratt - 266
29 Steve Ellery - 260
30 Cameron McConville - 242
31 Mark Noske - 118
32 Dale Brede - 118
33 Mark Porter - 58
34 David Krause - 0
35 Phillip Scifleet - 0
36 David Thexton - 0
37 Terry Wyhoon - 0
ORRCON RACING DRIVER HISTORY AT QUEENSLAND RACEWAY
Jason Bargwanna
Best Finish – 2nd (1999 & 2000)
Best qualifying position – 10th (1999)
2003 results – Qualifying 21st, Race – 17th
Mark Winterbottom (Formula Ford - 2002)
Qualifying position – 6th
Finishing position – Race One - 3rd, Race Two – 4th
2003 results – N/A
Round Six
Queensland Raceway
Ipswich, QLD
July 2-4, 2004
Track Length: 3.12 km
Avg Speed: 161 kph
Max Speed: 246 kph
Round Format:: 1 X 280km race
2003 result! – 1st Russell Ingall, 2nd Marcos Ambrose, 3rd Todd Kelly
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday 11 June
2:30pm - 3:05pm - Practice 1
Saturday 12 June
10:35am – 11:10am - Practice 2
1:35pm - 1:55pm - Qualifying (Lower 50%)
2:00am - 2:20pm - Qualifying (Upper 50%)
4:15pm - 4:45pm - Top 10 Shoot Out
Sunday 4 July
10:00am – 10:20am Warm Up
1:45pm - Race (90 laps)
TV TELECAST - Network Ten
Sunday
2:30pm - 5:00pm
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