Morris slowed by gearbox problems
5/7/2004 1:49 (Press Release) -
Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driver Paul Morris was slowed by gearbox problems and finished a distant 23rd in today's sixth round of the V8 Supercar Championship at Queensland Raceway near Ipswich.
The gearbox problems caused Morris to make a lengthy pit-stop during the middle stages of 280km race, held in fine conditions. He resumed driving in a bid to collect as many championship points as possible, but was restricted to using sixth gear only in his final stint on the 3.1km track.
Morris eventually completed the event 16 laps behind the race-winning Pirtek Ford Falcon of championship leader Marcos Ambrose. Ambrose finished the 90-lap race in 2-hrs 1-min 44.876-secs, and was followed by Steven Richards in a Castrol Perkins Commodore and Jason Bright in a Repco Valvoline Commodore.
After starting 23rd on the grid, Morris moved up to 16th position in the early stages. However, his charge was halted when he was shown a 'Black Flag' and forced to make a pit-stop to remove a rear panel which was damaged by contact with another car.
The 36-year-old Gold Coast driver was in 15th position when struck by gearbox problems. After a lengthy pit-stop to evaluate the damage he rejoined the race in 24th and improved one position before the finish.
Morris scored 60 championship points for his result. He is now 22nd in the championship with an overall tally of 454 points. Ambrose leads with
1,064 points.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "There was no warning with the gearbox problem. I came out of Turn 3, and it went 'crunch' when I changed up from second
(gear) to third. I came in on the next lap. They took the oil out and saw it was making metal - something was obviously broken, but we didn't know exactly what. We filled it up with oil again and went back out to try and finish and get some points. We had to come in (to the pits) early after I was hit from behind and got a 'black flag. It happened after there was an incident in front of me and most of us slowed up. We changed tyres and got back out - I was by myself and able to put together some good lap times. My lap times were competitive, but with the gearbox problems we weren't able to nail down the result we need."
RESULTS – RACE (90 laps):
POS DRIVERS CAR TIME
1. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Ford Falcon 2:01:44.876
2. Steven Richards Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 2:01:46.460
3. Garth Tander Repco Valvoline Holden Commodore 2:01:47.598
4. Russell Ingall Caltex Havoline Ford Falcon 2:01:48.536
5. Jason Bright PWR Holden Commodore 2:01:48.894
6. Paul Radisich Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 2:01:54.047
7. Paul Dumbrell Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 2:01:54.343
8. Tony Longhurst Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 2:02:00.552
9. Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore 2:02:01.077
10. Cameron McConville Repco Valvoline Holden Commodore 2:02:01.760
OTHER:
23. Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore
FASTEST LAP: Bright 1-min 11.631-secs
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