Orrcon Racing right on the pace at Bathurst
8/10/2004 22:28 (Press Release) -
Orrcon Racing showed throughout the practice sessions at the Mount Panorama circuit why they are considered serious contenders for this weekend’s Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 in Bathurst setting times well inside the top ten.
Such was the pace shown by the Number 10 Orrcon Racing Falcon during the four practice sessions that the time set by Jason Bargwanna in yesterday’s second session placed him fourth fastest for the opening day’s proceedings.
Bargwanna, who has previously won the race in 2000, handled the majority of the driving duties during the practice sessions before handing the over to Mark Winterbottom during the co-drivers session late in the afternoon.
Winterbottom, 23, set the pace at Mount Panorama last year in the Konica support race by setting the fastest qualifying time and winning the 25-lap race and yesterday was eighth fastest in the final session for the day.
The pair continued their good speed around the 6.21 kilometre circuit during this morning’s one hour session to be fifth fastest and the highest placed Ford in the session.
“Yesterday the car was a bit twitchy over the top of the mountain and we made some changes over night and the car has improved every session we have gone out, which is what you really want,” said Bargwanna.
“Our main priority is to be right up the front during qualifying and then make sure we keep out of trouble during the race, you only have to lead one lap here, the last one.”
Throughout this morning’s session Winterbottom was also pleased with the improvements on the Orrcon Racing Falcon.
“The car feels great, it is getting the power down well and very comfortable to drive,” said Winterbottom during the session.
Mark Larkham and Matt Halliday are sharing the driving duties in the Number 10 Orrcon Racing Falcon this weekend. Throughout the practice sessions the pair set times just outside the top 20 while the pair dialed into the tricky circuit.
Larkham’s 10 years of experience at Australia’s toughest circuit will put him into a good position come Sunday’s 161-lap race.
Qualifying will be held this afternoon from 2pm with the field split into a pair of 45-minute sessions with a further practice and the top ten shootout tomorrow. The Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 race will begin on Sunday at 10:00am.
Network Ten will televise this afternoon’s qualifying session from 1pm through until 4pm. The coverage continues tomorrow from Noon until 5pm with the 10-hour race telecast beginning at 7am on Sunday.
ORRCON RACING V8 SUPERCAR DRIVER HISTORY AT THE BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000
Jason Bargwanna
Best Finish – 1st (2000)
Best qualifying position – 7th (1998)
Debut - 1997
2003 results – Qualifying 21st, Race DNF
Drivers previously paired with – Mark Noske (1997), Jim Richards (1998), Garth Tander (1999, 2000, 01, 02)
Mark Winterbottom
Best Finish – DNF (2003)
Best qualifying position – (2003)
Debut - 2003
2003 results – Qualifying 18th, Race DNF
Drivers previously paired with – Mark Noske (2003)
Mark Larkham
Best Finish – 3rd (1997)
Best qualifying position – 1st (1999)
Debut - 1995
2003 results – Qualifying 21st, Race DNF
Drivers previously paired with – Warwick Rooklyn (1995), Cameron McConville (96), Andrew Miedecke (97), Brad Jones (98, 99), Alain Menu (2000), Wayne Gardner (01), Will Power (02), Jason Bargwanna (03)
Matt Halliday
Best Finish – N/A debut 2004
Best qualifying position – N/A debut 2004
Debut - N/A debut 2004
2003 results – N/A debut 2004
Bob Jane T-Marts 1000
Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW
Friday October 8
2:00 – 2:45 – Qualifying (Lower 50%)
2:55 – 3:40 – Qualifying (Upper 50%)
Saturday October 9
10:00 – 11:00 – Practice Five
3:40 – 4:25 – Top Ten Shootout
Sunday October 10
7:15 – 7:45 – Warm Up
10:00 – Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 (161 Laps)
TRACK FACTS
Round Ten
Bob Jane T-marts 1000, Mount Panorama
Bathurst, NSW
October 7-10, 2004
Track Length: 6.21 km
Avg Speed: 146 kph
Max Speed: 290 kph
Round For mat: 1 X 1000km race
2003 result – 1st Greg Murphy/Rick Kelly, 2nd Craig Lowndes/Glenn Seton, 3rd Steven Ellery/Luke Youlden
TV TELECAST – NETWORK TEN
Friday – 1pm-4pm (EST)
Saturday – Noon-5pm (EST)
Sunday – 7am-5pm (EST)
* Please note that Network Ten will show a round of the Formula One World Championship from Suzuka Japan on Sunday from 5.30pm to 7pm.
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