R6 SHOOTOUT - Tander gets it right in Canberra
10/6/2000 15:58 (Press Release) - Garth Tander got it right when it matters most to claim pole position in the top 15 shootout at the GMC 400 in Canberra today after being tenth fastest yesterday.
Tander piloted his Valvoline Cummins Commodore around the confines of the new 4km street circuit in a time of 1:44.11, more than half a second quicker than his nearest rival.
His pole prize is just the second in his Shell Series career, the first coming at Adelaide earlier this year in a similar shootout, and puts him in the box seat to challenge for the points lead in the 2000 Shell Championship Series.
"We changed the car overnight and I knew it would be good today but I didn’t expect to make up that much time," Tander said. "I reckon we should have these shootouts at every round!"
Glenn Seton joins Tander on the front row after climbing from ninth quickest in provisional qualifying. The Tickford Ford man has hit a good form patch in the Shell series and approaches the first race this afternoon full of confidence.
"The new control tyre introduced in Adelaide has really worked on our cars," Seton said. "They have responded really well to the changes we have made and even though everyone remembers our bad round in Perth, we have been pretty good since then."
Shell Series leader, Mark Skaife was third quickest after completing a flying lap with a fraction more caution than earlier sessions where he had topped the timesheets.
"I tried an attacking lap yesterday and I hit the fence, so I was a bit more wary today," Skaife said. "Qualifying is not as important as it is at other Shell rounds with the nature of the new format. I think we all agree that we have a long weekend ahead of us yet."
Provisional pole sitter, Mark Larkham was fourth fastest in the shootout and the Mitre 10 Ford man remains a strong contender for honours this weekend.
"The car speed is definitely there so I am not unhappy with fourth," Larkham said.
Craig Lowndes will start from fifth and he is wary of the potential for disaster off the start line as the 32 V8 Supercars funnel through tight, concrete lined turns.
"It is going to be a very interesting first turn," Lowndes said. "We will have to keep a close eye on what is going around us and hope we get through and into the race clean."
Larry Perkins put his experience to good use. The Castrol Holden veteran jumped from 14th fastest yesterday to sixth in the shootout, edging out the Shell Helix Ford of Paul Radisich.
John Bowe missed the pole fight after stewards deemed an oil mount cooler on the underside of his CAT Racing Falcon gave him and aerodynamic advantage. He was seventh fastest yesterday, but will start this afternoon’s first race from the back of the grid.
Cameron McConville benefited from Bowe’s penalty to improve his qualifying result from 16th to 11th in the shootout.
The next two days are sure to include some drama as the drivers look to come to grips with a new race format which includes reverse grids, compulsory pit stops and an unforgiving new circuit.
"It is a case of just suck it and see," Lowndes said. "It should be a great show for the fans."
The first 25-lap race will take place from 3.30pm today. The second 25-laps will be fought out tomorrow morning with a reverse grid. The last man across the line today will start from pole position for that race while the winner will be back in the field. Any racers who come to grief during today’s first stanza will start behind all finishers tomorrow.
The final of this new Canberra round will take place tomorrow afternoon. Combined results from the first two legs will decide the grid placings for the 50-lap, double points race.
**TOP 15 QUALIFIERS**
(Results of the Top 15 Shootout)
1st GARTH TANDER (Team Valvoline-Cummins) - VT Commodore [1:44.11min]
2nd GLENN SETON (Ford-Tickford Racing) - AU Falcon [1:44.62]
3rd MARK SKAIFE (Mobil-Holden Racing) - VT Commodore [1:44.77]
4th MARK LARKHAM (Mitre 10 Racing) - AU Falcon [1:44.86]
5th CRAIG LOWNDES (Mobil-Holden Racing) - VT Commodore [1:44.91]
6th LARRY PERKINS (Castrol Perkins Racing) - VT Commodore [1:44.94]
7th PAUL RADISICH (Shell Helix Racing) - AU Falcon [1:45.33]
8th STEVE ELLERY (Supercheap Auto Racing) - AU Falcon [1:45.57]
9th STEVEN RICHARDS (Kmart Racing) - VT Commodore [1:45.75]
10th STEVEN JOHNSON (Shell Helix Racing) - AU Falcon [1:45.79]
11th CAMERON McCONVILLE (Autopro Racing) - VT Commodore [1:45.57]
12th TONY LONGHURST (Caltex Havoline Racing) - AU Falcon [1:46.16]
13th TODD KELLY (Mycar Holden Young Lions) - VT Commodore [1:46.23]
14th GREG MURPHY (Kmart Racing) - VT Commodore [1:46.52]
15th CAMERON McLEAN (Greenfield Mowers Racing) - AU Falcon [1:57.35]
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