BARGWANNA WANTS ANOTHER INDY SURFBOARD
8/11/2004 18:59 (Press Release) -
The Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge on the streets of the Gold Coast is famous for its surfboard trophies and Orrcon Racing driver Jason Bargwanna wants to add another surfboard to his collection this weekend.
Bargwanna, who won the event in 2002, is confident that he can be a serious contender for the victory in this weekend’s event and in the process become the first driver to win the on the Surfers Paradise street circuit in different marques.
After teaming with his Gold Coast based team mate Mark Winterbottom in the endurance races Bargwanna will this weekend have the Number 10 Orrcon Racing Falcon all to himself, with Winterbottom returning to the Number 20 Orrcon Racing Falcon.
“I’m really excited about the weekend, the form of the team and with my history at the event along with Larko’s (team owner Mark Larkham’s) experience, who won in 1998, I think that yet again we can be at the pointy end of the pack,” said Bargwanna.
“It is an exhilarating circuit, the atmosphere of racing through the streets of Surfers is amazing and it is a real driver’s circuit that rewards commitment. When you are in the car you are always busy and have to stay focused, one slip on a white line and you’re in the wall.
“Over the past two events we have had a sixth and a fifth, now it is onto the next step and get on the podium for another surfboard at Surfers.”
When Larkham stood on top of the podium in 1998 Bargwanna was alongside him in third position. Bargwanna was also on the podium in 1995 when he finished third in the Formula Ford support event behind runner up Jason Bright and now Formula One driver Mark Webber who claimed the victory.
While Bargwanna could be considered a veteran around the streets of Surfers Paradise his Orrcon Racing team mate Mark Winterbottom will be making his V8 Supercar debut on the circuit this weekend’s event.
Four years ago Winterbottom competed as a part of the Young Guns Challenge in the Lexmark Indy 300 in his circuit racing debut after graduating from go-karts.
“It was pretty daunting with concrete walls either side of you and driving a car for the first time, but it was a great party!” said Winterbottom.
This year partying will be the furthest thing from Winterbottom’s mind as he focuses on his charge towards the front of the V8 Supercar grid.
In the past two rounds Winterbottom has elevated himself from 23rd position in the Championship now be in 16th and within 89 points of the five drivers ahead of him.
“As a team we have shown over the past few rounds we are here to be taken seriously and have the pace to be at the front of the pack, I am confident we can continue this momentum rolling in our home event this weekend,” said Winterbottom.
The Lexmark Indy 300 Carnival begins on Thursday with the V8 Supercars hitting the 4.47km street circuit on Friday for opening practice at 9:00am with a further practice session and qualifying in the afternoon. The top ten shootout will be conducted on Saturday morning with the first 22-lap race starting at 3:50pm. Sunday will be highlighted with a 33-lap race beginning at 12:00pm.
ORRCON RACING DRIVER HISTORY AT THE GILLETTE V8 SUPERCAR CHALLENGE
Jason Bargwanna
Best Finish – 1st (2002)
Best qualifying position – 9th (1998, 2001)
Podium Finishes – Two - 1st (2002), 3rd (1998)
Debut - 1998
2003 results – Qualifying 28th, Race One 17th, Race Two 21st, Overall 12th
Mark Winterbottom
Best Finish – N/A (Debut 2004)
Best qualifying position – N/A (Debut 2004)
Debut - 2004
2003 results – N/A (Debut 2004)
GILLETTE V8 SUPERCAR CHALLENGE
PREVIOUS WINNERS
1994 John Bowe
1996 John Bowe
1997 Greg Murphy
1998 Mark Larkham
1999 Paul Radisich
2000 Paul Radisich
2001 Garth Tander
2002 Jason Bargwanna
2003 Russell Ingall
2004 V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
After 10 of 13 rounds
1: Marcos Ambrose 1667
2: Jason Bright 1612
3: Rick Kelly 1565
4: Russell Ingall 1519
5: Steven Richards 1509
6: Greg Murphy 1476
7: Todd Kelly 1303
8: John Bowe 1188
9: Garth Tander 1155
10: Jason Bargwanna 1138
11: Paul Weel 1029
12 : Mark Skaife 1003
13: Steven Johnson 1000
14: Brad Jones 973
15: Glenn Seton 971
16: Mark Winterbottom 940
17: Craig Baird 922
18: Warren Luff 904
19: Jason Richards 904
20: Paul Morris 861
21: Cameron McConville 860
22: Anthony Tratt 844
23: Paul Dumbrell 844
24: Tony Longhurst 826
25: Craig Lowndes 825
26: Paul Radisich 763
27: Steve Ellery 722
28: Simon Wills 643
29: David Besnard 560
30: Max Wilson 504
31: Greg Ritter 372
32: Cameron McLean 360
33: Fabian Coulthard 330
34: Mark Porter 310
35: Mark Noske 304
36: Dale Brede 292
37: Thomas Mezera 272
38: Alex Yoong 248
39: Jim Richards 248
40: Luke Youlden 240
41: Christian D'Agostin 236
42: Kurt Wimmer 236
43: Neil McFadyen 226
44: Garth Walden 181
45: Tim Leahey 164 47: Alex Davison 160
48: Jamie Whincup 160
49: Nathan Pretty 156
50: Allan Simonsen 156
51: Mathew Halliday 152
52: Mark Larkham 152
53: Marcus Marshall 152
54: Matthew White 152
55: Paul Stokell 144
56: Peter Brock 140
57: Jason Plato 140
58: Charlie O'Brien 132
59: David Brabham 128
60: Owen Kelly 128
61: Alan Gurr 128
62: Adam Macrow 120
63: Alain Menu 120
64: John McIntyre 112
65: Grant Elliott 100
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday October 22
9:00am – 9:35am - Practice 1
1:00pm – 1:35pm - Practice 2
4:00pm - 4:20pm – Qualifying Lower 50%
4:25pm – 4:45pm – Qualifying Upper 50%
Saturday October 23
11:45pm – 12:05pm - Warm Up
12:10pm – 12:50pm - Top 10 Shoot Out
3:50pm – Race One (22 laps)
Sunday October 24
9:00am – 9:20am - Warm Up
12:00pm – Race Two (33 laps)
TELECAST TIMES
Network Ten<\u>
Saturday October 23
11:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday October 24
10:00am – 5:00pm
Release Date: 19/10/2004
Larkham Orrcon Racing
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