Robert Jones Relishes Under-Dog Status
2/7/2004 19:09 (Press Release) -
Despite a formidable home-track advantage of a large portion of the field Robert Jones is undaunted as he heads north for the penultimate Round of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar Series.
Robert Jones: "This is my first time in a V8 Supercar up there but it sure isn't for a lot of others. Queensland Raceway is the home track for up to half the cars or drivers competing this weekend, and when you throw in the 'Level One' teams which have been racing there for years its clear that we're starting from behind the eight-ball.
"But I'm not fazed about that, the value of keeping on the track, out of trouble and on the pace has paid off several times for us this year" said Jones in reference to his pair of excellent top ten results, "and it is underscored by the shocker we had at the previous Round at Eastern Creek" he continued in reference to the major collision with ex-Formula One driver Alex Yoong. "The car had significant damage and this occupied our time between that Round and this one.
"We put in a big effort to ensure the #69 Spies Hecker Commodore comes back as good as ever. Over the two years of its life its had its share of minor to medium damage so we put it on the jig it was constructed on and checked all the main components and mounting points. Things might only be a few millimetres out here or there but that can all add up to make a difference, Queensland Raceway has two very high-speed corners and some hairpins so each increment is important."
Fighting some back pain incurred recently at work the Melbournian is still optimistic, "I've raced at Queensland Raceway in my Formula Ford but never in one of these things (a V8 Supercar). Watching plenty of video tapes of V8 Supercar races and playing it over and over in my head is the best preparation I can do; personally, I feel prepared.
"But having said that, V8 Supercar racing is a tough game at the best of times let alone being the under-dog. If I can break into the top ten this weekend I'll be ecstatic."
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