Bargwanna aiming for another Winton Wonderland
14/8/2004 14:35 (Press Release) -
As the V8 Supercar Championship heads to Winton Motor Raceway in central Victoria this weekend it brings back some good memories for Orrcon Racing driver Jason Bargwanna. Melbourne based Bargwanna has twice stood on the top step of the podium at Winton taking the overall victory in 1999 and 2000.
The victory at Winton in 1999 was one of the most memorable moments thus far in Bargwanna’s illustrious seven year career. It wasn’t just a victory, it was a domination of the event by the Melbourne based driver after taking pole position leading every lap of every race.
“I certainly have some very fond memories of Winton,” said Bargwanna.
“In the past I have enjoyed the opportunity of having Winton as my test circuit, this provided me with a lot of in depth knowledge about the track and its characteristics.
“One hundred laps around Winton is going to be a long race but I think it will be one that will suit me and the team.
“Last year we were on track for a top ten finish, this year I believe that a top ten finish beckons us and a top five is definitely a realistic goal.”
Bargwanna’s Orrcon Racing team mate, Mark Winterbottom has also tasted success at Winton finishing on the podium in both of his previous two visits.
Such was the pace that the 23-year-old has shown at the venue in the past two years that he has twice lowered the track record (Formula Ford in 2002 and Konica V8’s last year).
His qualifying time in the Konica Championship last year would have placed him tenth on the grid in the V8 Supercar Championship. After overcoming engine problems in the opening race Winterbottom recovered to finish third overall and clinch the Championship in the process.
Winterbottom also finished on the podium at Winton in 2002 when he competed in the Australian Formula Ford Championship.
“Winton has always been a good track for me, I clinched the Konica Championship last year there,” said Winterbottom.
“All year we have had really consistent race pace, when you combine this with the knowledge I have around Winton from my time using it as a test track when racing the Formula Ford it gives me confidence going into this weekend.
“In the last round at Queensland I was running well inside the top ten before being caught in the wrong spot when the safety car came out costing me numerous positions.”
Entering this weekend’s seventh round of the Championship Marcos Ambrose heads the points on 1064 ahead of Steven Richards (1006) and Jason Bright (951). Jason Bargwanna is 14th on 544 points and Mark Winterbottom 17th on 517.
Practice begins on Friday with a 90-minute session followed by a further two 35-minute sessions, qualifying and the top ten shootout on Saturday to decide the starting positions for Sunday’s 100-lap race around the 3.0km Winton Motor Raceway.
Championship Points
1 Marcos Ambrose - 1064
2 Steven Richards - 1006
3 Jason Bright - 951
4 Rick Kelly - 924
5 Greg Murphy - 811
6 Russell Ingall - 808
7 Garth Tander - 780
8 Todd Kelly - 741
9 John Bowe - 638
10 Steven Johnson - 597
11 Paul Weel - 569
12 Paul Radisich - 562
13 Craig Baird - 544
14 Jason Bargwanna – 544
15 Mark Skaife - 540
16 Brad Jones - 522
17 Mark Winterbottom – 514
18 Max Wilson - 504
19 Paul Dumbrell – 503
20 Glenn Seton – 485
21 Tony Longhurst – 464
22 Paul Morris – 454
23 Warren Luff – 414
24 Craig Lowndes – 414
25 Anthony Tratt – 398
26 David Besnard – 398
27 Cameron McConville – 380
28 Jason Richards – 343
29 Simon Wills – 304
30 Steve Ellery – 260
31 Mark Noske – 196
32 Dale Brede – 118
33 Neil McFadyen – 90
34 Garth Walden – 66
35 Mark Porter – 58
36 David Krause – 0
37 Phillip Scifleet – 0
38 David Thexton – 0
39 Terry Wyhoon – 0
ORRCON RACING DRIVER HISTORY AT WINTON MOTOR RACEWAY
Jason Bargwanna
Best Finish – 1st (1999 & 2000)
Best qualifying position – Pole position
2003 results – Qualifying 27th, Race – 13th
Mark Winterbottom (Konica V8 Supercar - 2003)
Qualifying position – 1st
Finishing position – Race One – 13th, Race Two – 3rd, Race Three – 2nd
Round Seven
Winton Motor Raceway
Benella, VIC
July 23-25, 2004
Track Length: 3.00 km
Avg Speed: 129 kph
Max Speed: 240 kph
Round Format: 1 X 300km race
2003 result – 1st Marcos Ambrose, 2nd Jason Bright, 3rd Steven Richards
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday 23 July
2:00pm - 3:30pm - Practice 1
Saturday 24 July
9:25am – 10:00am - Practice 2
11:40pm – 12:15pm – Practice 3
1:50pm – 2:10pm – Qualifying (Lower 50%)
2:15pm - 2:35pm - Qualifying (Upper 50%)
4:05pm - 4:35pm - Top 10 Shoot Out
Sunday 25 July
10:10am – 10:30am Warm Up
1:00pm - Race (100 laps)
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