Team Betta Electrical display stronger cars for Bathurst
8/10/2004 22:04 (Press Release) -
The team at Triple Eight Race Engineering have been working around the clock since the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 to ensure the teams two BA Fords are ‘Bullet Proof’ for this years ultimate event on the V8 Supercars calendar, the Bob Jane Bathurst 1000.
“We certainly don’t want a reenactment of the Sandown 500 where both cars suffered with component failure”.
“The teams engineers have been relentless in their endeavors to present the drivers with what we can only term as being extremely reliable race cars for the marathon event” – said team owner Roland Dane.
“One is always striving to gain that extra 10th of a second here and there, however this gain can sometimes come at a cost, as it did at Sandown and with Bathurst, well reliability is paramount in order to finish such a long and grueling race” – he said.
Drivers of car #88, Paul Radisich and Max Wilson have just returned from overseas, Radisich from the UK. Where he took part in two race events at Donnington Park Raceway, being offered a drive in the Carrera Cup event, bringing the car home in 5th position whilst also participating in the same make two litre round at the same event.
“I had an invitation extended to me to travel to the UK. and compete in the two events at Donnington last weekend, so I jumped at the opportunity” – said Radisich.
“It gave me some valuable experience during the break in the lead up to Bathurst and I thoroughly enjoyed it and gaining 5th outright from my first outing in a Porsche was quite pleasing indeed”.
Radisich’s contract with Triple Eight ends with the last round of the season at Eastern Creek.
“It is disappointing just when the cars are coming on the pace, but that’s life. I’m considering other approaches from several other very competitive teams from both manufacturers, but I won’t be making a decision on my future until later in the season. My preference is to stay within the V8 Series, as I still have a lot to both offer and achieve within the series and I know my supporters feel the same way and I’m not about to let them down” – said Radisich.
“For the balance of this season I just want to focus on the remaining four rounds of the season and try very hard to gain a podium finish along the way” – he said.
Radisich was just outside the top ten Championship point contenders for the majority of the season in 11th spot, however with the teams DNF result at Sandown, Radisich now finds himself shuffled back to 23rd on the Championship ladder and out of contention for 2004.
Max Wilson managed to catch up with his family in Sao Paulo Brazil over the past two weeks and say’s he has returned re-freshed and ready to leave his mark on the remaining four rounds of the 2004 season.
“Both Paul and myself are very enthusiastic about our chances in the big race at Bathurst, it’s a 6.12 km circuit that tests both we the drivers and the cars to the limit” – said Wilson.
“There is nothing missing from this circuit, it has all the elements from the twisting climb up the Mountain then across Skyline and the down the very fast run down Conrod straight, it’s exciting not only for the supporters but for the drivers as well”.
“I’m sure the team is going to do very well here on the weekend” – said Wilson.
Ivan Muller will return from the UK. to take up his position in the teams second entry, car #888 alongside Dean Canto for the Bathurst 1000.
Muller was unfortunate not to get to drive the car at Sandown due to its expiry on lap 41 of the 161-lap event, being prior to the planned driver change.
“I’m looking forward to the Bathurst 1000 said Muller, I have driven in the race twice previously and I really enjoyed the experience and with Dean onboard I think we can both campaign the car around the head of the field, I know Deans is as keen as I am to really excel here” – said Muller.
“It would have been beneficial for me to have gained laps at Sandown in preparation for Bathurst, but circumstances prevented that, so I must make the most of the practice sessions in the lead up to Sunday’s great race” – he said.
BATHURST FACTS
Record Attendance: 163,840 over 4 days in 2002
Support Categories: Konica Minolta V8 Supercars, Australian Carrera Cup, Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Series and Historic Touring Cars
On-Track Entertainment: Includes VB V8 Challenge, Victor Bray’s Top Doorslammer, Metric Productions Extreme Motocross, Donut King Stunt Team, Driver’s Parade Lap, National Anthem
Television: Network Ten – Friday 1300-1600, Saturday 1200-1700, Sunday 0700-1700. Stay tuned to Network Ten news and Sport’s Tonight for daily updates. The race will also reach North America (Speed Channel), throughout Europe (MotorsTV), U.K. (Five), China (CCTV), Shanghai (Grandsports, Shanghai Television Station - LIVE) New Zealand (TV One - LIVE) South Africa (SABC), Argentina (TyC Sports) and Asia Pacific (ABCAP).
MOUNT PANORAMA LAP RECORDS
Current Qualifying Record 2003 Greg Murphy Holden 2.08.3873
Current Lap Record 2003 Garth Tander Holden 2.09.5705
Outright Lap Record 2003 Greg Murphy Holden 2.08.3873
BATHURST RACE TIME RECORDS
Jim Richards/Mark Skaife Nissan GT-R 6:19:14.80 1991
2003 TIMES
Qualifying Lap: Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 2.08.3873
Pole Time: Greg Murphy Holde n Commodore VY 2.06.8594
Race: Greg Murphy/Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VY 6:32:55.4044
MULTIPLE WINNERS
9 Peter Brock
7 Jim Richards
6 Larry Perkins
4 Allan Moffat, Mark Skaife
3 Dick Johnson, Greg Murphy
2 Harry Firth, John Bowe, Tony Longhurst, Bob Jane, Russell Ingall, John Goss, Allan Grice, Steven Richards
MOST WINS BY A MANUFACTURER
23 Holden
14 Ford
2 Nissan
MOST STARTS
32 Jim Richards
31 Peter Brock
28 Colin Bond
27 Bruce Stewart, Bob Holden
26 Graham Moore, Dick Johnson, Allan Grice, Larry Perkins
Kevin Bartlett, Terry Finnigan
23 Ray Gulson, Don Smith
22 Bo Seton, Gary Willmington
21 Geoff Leeds, Tony Longhurst
20 Charlie O’Brien, Glenn Seton
MOST FINISHES
24 Peter Brock
23 Jim Richards, Larry Perkins
21 Ray Gulson
19 Don Smith
17 Bruce Stewart, Colin Bond, Bob Holden
16 Kevin Bartlett
15 Bo Seton
14 Allan Grice
13 Don Holland
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