Teamwork gets the points on the board for Orrcon Racing
5/7/2004 1:48 (Press Release) -
Orrcon Racing overcame adversity to gain valuable points towards their Championship battle in round six of the V8 Supercar Championship at Queensland Raceway today.
Following yesterday’s qualifying the Orrcon Falcons driven by Mark Winterbottom and Jason Bargwanna started from 14th and 19th respectively in today’s 90-lap race.
The field was scattered during the opening turn when a five car incident in the middle of the pack brought about the safety car before a racing lap had been completed.
“I was lucky to get through the opening turn, I could see something was going to happen and tagged (Steven) Ellery as he spun in front of me but we escaped unscathed,” said Winterbottom.
Following a nine-lap safety car period both Orrcon Racing Falcons were placed just outside the top ten. Shortly after the restart Winterbottom elevated himself to inside the top ten.
On lap 17 Bargwanna capitalized on a mistake from Warren Luff to move into 13th position, his movement was short lived however with the pair making contact entering the next turn spearing both drivers off the circuit.
The impact damaged the front left suspension and also speared a hole on the radiator on Bargwanna’s number 20 Orrcon Racing Falcon.
With a complete understanding of how valuable a finish and Championship points are the Orrcon Racing team went to work replacing the top left wishbone and radiator to get Bargwanna back on track.
“The guys did a great job to get that car back out on the track in only a matter of 25 odd minutes to ensure that I gained points towards the Championship,” said Bargwanna.
To be classed as a finisher a driver must also complete 75% of the race distance and the team finished the repairs within a matter of minutes to ensure Bargwanna was able to complete the 68-laps required.
After completing his second compulsory pit stop for fuel Winterbottom was the second car on the road in the list of drivers who had completed their two stops.
Winterbottom’s luck turned sour in the second safety car period of the race when he was caught behind the safety car as the leader pitted in the period leaving the 23-year-old almost a full lap behind the next position on the road.
“Until the safety car came out in between me and the next driver for position, with the leader pitting on the same lap I was stuck,” said Winterbottom.
Winterbottom continued to battle on matching times with drivers inside the top ten despite his track position crossing the line 21st with Bargwanna four spots further back in 25th to gain valuable points towards his Championship tally.
“In this Championship it is all about finishing and the team once again done a fantastic job to get me across the line today,” said Bargwanna.
“Racing is all about adversity and overcoming these adversities along with everything that is thrown at you, today we had a fair bit thrown at us.
“Sometimes you have got to fight through the thorns to get to the roses.”
Today’s Queensland 300 race was won by Championship leader Marcos Ambrose ahead of Steven Richards and Garth Tander.
The next round of the Championship will be held at Winton Raceway in central Victoria on July 23-25.
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