Morris forced out after incident on first lap
26/11/2004 23:32 (Press Release) -
Queensland driver Paul Morris made an early exit from today's first race in the 12th round of the V8 Supercar Championship in Tasmania after his Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore was badly damaged on the opening lap.
The front and rear of Morris' VY Commodore was damaged in an incident at the hairpin at the end of the front straight on the 2.4km Symmons Plains track.
The front of Paul Dumbrell's Castrol Perkins Commodore made contact with the rear of Morris' car. After impact the front of Morris' car made contact with the rear of Warren Luff's Shell Helix Ford Falcon.
Morris then drove slowly back to his team's pit area and he was forced to withdraw from the 42-lap race. The 36-year-old from the Gold Coast scored no championship points.
Today's race was won by Rick Kelly in a Kmart Commodore, with championship leader Marcos Ambrose second in a Pirtek Ford Falcon. The Symmons Plains round will be completed with two further races tomorrow.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "Cars were boxed up in the hairpin and (Paul) Dumbrell arrived there and used me for brakes. I was hit from behind in the braking area and then went into (Warren) Luff. It was very disappointing not to even finish a lap. Damage to the rear of the car included the fuel tank being pushed in, and at the front the radiator, radiator supports, and panels were bent.
"We will fix the car up for tomorrow, but it's going to be a tough day because we now have to start from the back of the grid."
RESULTS – RACE 1 (42 laps):
POS DRIVERS CAR TIME
1. Rick Kelly Kmart Holden Commodore 38:16.135
2. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Ford Falcon 38:18.493
3. Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore 38:19.102
4. Steven Richards Castrol Perkins Holden Commodore 38:20.292
5. Garth Tander Repco Valvoline Holden Commodore 38:28.696
6. Craig Lowndes Ford Performance Racing Falcon 38:30.891
7. Russell Ingall Caltex Havoline Ford Falcon 38:32.444
8. David Besnard WPS Ford Falcon 38:37.278
9. Paul Radisich Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 38:37.926
10. Jason Bright PWR Holden Commodore 38:38.515
OTHER:
DNF Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore 0 laps
FASTEST LAP: Tander 52.814-secs
Release Date: 13/11/2004
Sirromet Wines - Paul Morris Motorsports
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