Last minute Pole for Kelly at Queensland
4/7/2004 11:43 (Press Release) -
With less than 30 seconds left on the clock in today's V8 Supercar Series qualifying session Team Fujitsu's Owen Kelly has jumped from ninth to take pole position for the first of three races this weekend. Kelly had his entire team on edge as they patiently waited for him to make an impact on times.
"That was a relief," Team Fujitsu's Owen Kelly said.
"It's not so much that I got pole it's more that I'm not starting from ninth or tenth.
"For most of qualifying I wasn't able to put together one good lap.
"But I was pretty happy to do a low eleven (point) one in the end."
Kelly got held up on several fast laps, and on what would have been his fastest lap he missed a gear.
"My second last timed lap would have been at least a tenth faster than my pole lap but I missed a gear," Kelly said.
"I shifted into neutral and that cost me.
"But it was good to get the time in the end and to be starting at the front."
Normally starting from pole gives the driver an advantage over his rivals at the start, but in tomorrow's first race it may be the second place sitter that reaps the rewards.
"Starting on the dirty side of the track could be a bit of a drama," Kelly said.
"There might be more of an advantage starting in second place this time round.
"It might not be too bad, but the cars don't run on that (my) side of the track so it's a question as to how much grip I'll be able to get.
"You can win from anywhere on the track but it obviously makes your job easier if you have grip.
"It's about getting off the line and into the first corner in-front of everyone else."
Jose Fernandez topped of another strong event for Team Fujitsu qualifying in 10th place, maintaining his consistent form.
"I'm not too disappointed with my time, it's only seven-tenths from Owen's time, I'm more disappointed to be in tenth," Jose Fernandez said.
"I thought I could qualify higher than that."
|
|
