Morris survives spin at Bathurst
8/10/2004 22:26 (Press Release) -
The Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driven by Paul Morris escaped damage after sliding sideways through a sandtrap and narrowly missing a concrete barrier in today's opening practice sessions for Sunday's Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst.
Morris, who is contesting the 10th round of the V8 Supercar Championship with Alan Gurr, went off the track at the Skyline section of the 6.2km Mount Panorama circuit during the second of today's three practice sessions.
The 36-year-old from Queensland's Gold Coast drove into the sandtrap after another car spun in front of him. The incident occurred shortly after a new set of tyres had been fitted to Morris' VY Commodore and ended his challenge to finish practice in the top 10.
Morris clocked a best lap time of 1-min 10.482-secs in the session. The time left the Sirromet Wines Commodore 16th fastest car from the three sessions. Greg Murphy, the 2003 Bathurst winner, was quickest with 2-mins 8.796-secs in the Kmart Commodore he is driving with Rick Kelly.
Gurr, 22, shared driving duties with Morris in the first session, and then drove the entire third and final session designated for co-drivers. He recorded a quickest lap time of 2-mins 12.048-secs, set in the third session.
There will be a further practice session tomorrow, followed by qualifying. The qualifying session will determine which teams advance to the Top 10 Shoot Out on Saturday.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "I went through a sandtrap sideways after one of the WPS (Ford) Falcons spun in front of me at Skyline. It sent up a big dust cloud and I couldn't see anything. The next thing I was off the track going backwards and sideways. Luckily the car stayed off the wall and there wasn't much damage.
"New tyres had just gone on the car before I went off, which meant I didn't get to 'bang' down as good a lap as the car is capable of doing. If we have a good run tomorrow I'm hopeful of finishing the day much higher up. The car handles really well across the top of Mount Panorama. We tried some changes with the springs, but the car wasn't as good so we went back to the set-up we started with."
ALAN GURR QUOTES: "Paul (Morris) gave me some extra laps in the first (practice) session which was good. I drove around getting a feel for where everything was. In the last session my lap times came down as I got more comfortable and familiar with the car.
"The bottom half of this place is just like any other racetrack, but the 'blind' corners over the mountain take some time to get used to. I'm keen to do more laps to keep building up my confidence."
RESULTS – PRACTICE (combined times):
POS DRIVERS CAR TIME
1. G. Murphy-R. Kelly Kmart Holden Commodore 2:08.790
2. R. Ingall-C. McLean Caltex Havoline Ford Falcon 2:09.427
3. M. Skaife-T. Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore 2:09.531
4. J. Bargwanna-M. Winterbotton Orrcon Ford Falcon 2:09.616
5. J. Bowe-B. Jones OzEmail Ford Falcon 2:09.632
6. J. Bright-P. Weel PWR Holden Commodore 2:09.678
7. S. Ellery-L. Youlden Super Cheap Auto Ford Falcon 2:09.760
8. S. Richards-Jim Richards Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 2:09.829
9. S. Johnson-W.Luff Shell Helix Ford Falcon 2:09.937
10. M. Wilson-P. Radisich Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 2:10.043
OTHER:
16. P. Morris-A. Gurr Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore 2:10.482
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after round 9): Ambrose 1,487; Bright 1,464; S. Richards 1,397; R. Kelly 1,373; Ingall 1,347; Murphy 1,284; T. Kelly 1,163; Tander 1,155; Bowe 1,004; Bargwanna 962. Other: Morris 861
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