Morris qualifies seventh in Top 10 Shootout
14/8/2004 18:38 (Press Release) -
Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driver Paul Morris will start from seventh position in tomorrow's eighth round of the V8 Supercar Championship series at the Oran Park circuit near Sydney.
The 36-year-old Gold Coast driver secured a position on the fourth row of the grid when he finished seventh fastest in this afternoon's Top 10 Shoot Out. He clocked a time of 1-min 09.726-secs in his single flying lap around the 2.7km track in his VY Commodore, fitted with a Holden Motorsport engine.
Morris' time was 0.616-secs slower than Mark Skaife, who claimed pole position by emerging fastest in the Top 10 Shoot Out with a lap time of 1-min 9.110-secs in a Holden Racing Team Commodore.
Earlier in the day Morris had earned a position in the Top 10 Shoot Out by finishing fifth fastest in the qualifying session with a quickest lap of 1-min 9.053-secs.
Before qualifying there were three practice sessions. Morris had been fastest in yesterday's opening practice session, and was fourth in today's two practice sessions leading up to qualifying. There will be two 140km races tomorrow.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "We've been in the top 10 every session so the car is fast and consistent. It's only the second time we've made the (Top 10) Shoot Out this season so we're in good shape. I had two 'green' tyres for the Shoot Out and we put them on the rear. I struggled with tyre temperature which is why my (lap) time in the Shoot Out was a little slower than I'd been in practice and qualifying. Today we didn't make any major changes to the car, apart from some shock-absorber adjustments. The only problem I had all day was in qualifying when another car went off in front of me and put debris on the track – I was on a 'quick one', but I had to abort it after running over all the dirt. To be quick around Oran Park you need a car that handles really well and we've got that. This isn't a 'horsepower' track like some other places we race."
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