FINAL BATHURST SHAKEDOWN FOR SBR
28/9/2004 18:43 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing completed their on track preparations for next month’s Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst by completing their final endurance test day at Queensland Raceway today.
Fresh from a one-two finish at the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 earlier this month the team used the day to focus on ensuring that both co-drivers, Greg Ritter and Cameron McLean gained as much track time as possible.
Throughout the day the pair underwent the majority of laps aboard the Stone Brothers Racing prepared Ford BA Falcon’s.
By the end of the test each of the Pirtek and Caltex Havoline Racing Falcon’s had completed approximately 80 laps around the 3.12 kilometre circuit.
During this time the crew also conducted numerous pit stops under virtual race conditions that included brake pad and driver changes.
“The day wasn’t on focused on research and development but more so to prepare the team for Bathurst and make sure when we get there in a couple of weeks everything is perfect,” said team co-owner Ross Stone.
“We bedded in brakes, practiced pit stops and made sure the co-drivers continued to adapt with the cars. With a month between races the test also allowed Marcos (Ambrose) and Russell (Ingall) to keep their eye in.”
Russell Ingall spoke in a similar tone to Stone about the test.
“It was a pretty standard day at the office for a test day with the focus mainly on pit stop practice and ensuring the co-drivers got a heap of laps in the cars,” said Ingall.
“All throughout the day Cameron felt very comfortable in the car and continually got quicker as the day went on which was very pleasing.
“The racing is so close these days that the race can be won or lost in a pit stop so the team focused a lot of today’s pit stop testing under race conditions.
“Although our main focus wasn’t on times today they were still quite quick considering the warmer conditions.”
The test day provided defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose with further confidence following the team’s dominance of the Sandown event.
“At Sandown we had an almost perfect run, now the focus turns to for us to try and have a perfect run at Bathurst which is what today’s test will allow me, Greg and the team to do,” said Ambrose.
“Our driver changes are now real fast and smooth, I am confident we can continually pick up time on our rivals at during our pit stops at Bathurst.”
The next round of the V8 Supercar Championship will be held at Bathurst's Mount Panorama circuit on October 7-10.
Release Date: 24/09/2004
Stone Brothers Racing
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