Johnson storms to 2nd row of grid at Winton
14/8/2004 14:59 (Press Release) -
Shell Helix Racing's Steven Johnson has put in his best qualifying performance since Canberra 2001, with the third fastest time in a wet and wild top-10 shootout at the seventh round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Winton Motor Raceway in central Victoria.
In an amazing top-10 shootout, former Ford driver Craig Baird took his first career V8 Supercar pole position. The New Zealander will start ahead of Garth Tander, with defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) in fourth and his Stone Brothers Racing teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline
Racing) one place further back.
The entire day's practice, qualifying and shootout were run in cold and conditions, with numerous stoppages in practice and qualifying as cars slid off the track.
The wet conditions meant driver skill and good car set-up became the key.
It brought together a somewhat unusual top-10 shootout.
Making the most of his opportunity in the shootout, Johnson put in a strong lap to jump from eighth to third. Considering the cold and wet conditions, the result was a contrast for a boy from Queensland.
“It's a tremendous boost for our team, as we've made a lot of strong gains in the car this year,” said Johnson.
“The car was really good on the lap, although I did have one scary moment in one of the sweeping bends. From there it was keep it in the middle of the road and a good time was certain.
“We've been able to finish the weekend strong a number of events this year, so to start near the front tomorrow should bring an even better result after 100-laps of racing.
“The car is getting better at every event, and importantly we're not close to getting the full potential just yet.
“You know I haven't started so close to the front for a while, I'm just please to have such a good view of the starting lights tomorrow!
“In what appears to be wet conditions, being at the front at the start is critical.
You don't have all the spray to try and see through. For the first time in a long time we can make our pit stop plans around us and not others.
“Importantly our car remains really consistent through races. Over 300 kilometres of racing that's going to be very important.
“The big variable is the weather. We are expecting a wet race, but over at least two hours of racing, we could have dry and wet conditions.
“We're prepared for all the challenges and I can't wait to turn this qualifying performance into an even better race performance.”
One of the performances of the qualifying session has Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing) who set the second fastest time. Unfortunately we got one of the wettest runs in the shootout and dropped back to ninth.
Also starting in the top group is CAT Ford Performance Racing's Craig Lowndes, who will be on position #7.
Of the championship challengers Steven Richards qualified 21st, while Greg Murphy will have to make his way through the field from 33rd.
Tomorrow's 100-lap race starts at 1pm.
Top-10 - Shootout - Winton
1. Craig Baird - Team Kiwi - Holden Commodore 1:39.7544 2. Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore +0.3953 3. Steven Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA +1.0549 4. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon +1.1688 5. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA +1.3180 6. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +1.4745 7. Craig Lowndes - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA +1.5064 8. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore +1.7736 9. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA +1.7739 10. Cameron McConville - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore +2.2530
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