Winterbottom standing tall in 2004
29/11/2004 19:24 (Press Release) -
After dominating last year’s Konica V8 Championship Mark Winterbottom entered the big league of V8 Supercar’s with Orrcon Racing this year with high expectations from many of the most experienced people in the business.
Born and bred in the Sydney suburb of Doonside, Winterbottom’s passion has always been motorsport with both of his parents racing sports sedans during his younger years. His father Jim was also a dual Australian Sprintcar Champion.
Winterbottom’s performance over the past few years in the V8 development and Formula Ford Championship’s had many experts considering him to be in the same league as triple Champion Craig Lowndes and reigning Champion Marcos Ambrose.
While he may not have dominated this year’s V8 Supercar Championship the Orrcon Racing driver has certainly made a considerable impact in the intensely fought Championship. With one round remaining he is 12th in the standings and on track for the highest position in the Championship by a rookie since Ambrose finished 8th in 2001.
In the opening round of the Championship at Adelaide, one of the toughest races in the year, Winterbottom was on track for a top ten result in his Championship debut with the team before he became an innocent victim in a high-speed accident a handful of laps from the finish.
After leaving the opening round languishing in 22nd position Winterbottom has clawed his way up the Championship table throughout the year.
Continuing to settle into the team and “gel” with his Larkham Motor Sport engineers throughout the year Winterbottom’s results have continually gained momentum, this momentum has been highlighted by his improved position in the Championship.
Driving with his regular team mate Jason Bargwanna in the endurance races the Orrcon Racing pair came tantalizingly close to a podium finish at Bathurst. Without a fuel system problem at Sandown it could very well have been a pair of podium finishes for the Orrcon duo.
“Throughout the year I have seen Mark develop as a driver in what is an immensely tough field of competition,” said team owner Mark Larkham.
“I really look forward to 2005, as his intelligent approach to 2004 I think has positioned him very well for next years Championship.”
Winterbottom rates his maiden year in the V8 Supercar Championship so far as a very solid year of development and has continually learnt from the more experienced members in the team.
“The year has been very much a learning experience for me and in the process gain as much experience in a short amount of time to be on the pace at every track,”said Winterbottom.
“The last half of the year has definitely been better than the first as I have continually developed and adapted with the car which was brand new at the start of the year.
“In most of the races I feel that I have been pretty much on the pace it has just been qualifying where I haven’t been able to perfect and extract the maximum speed at the right time, especially on circuits where I have never raced a V8 before.
“Next weekend we head to Eastern Creek where I have raced at a lot, I also had a good result at earlier in the year which gives me confidence that we will be able to finish the year on a high.”
While Winterbottom has had a good start to his career in V8 Supercars his more experienced team mate, Bargwanna has also achieved a very rewarding year to be currently eighth in the Championship entering next weekend’s final round.
If Bargwanna can remain in eighth position it will be his highest overall finish in the Championship since his seventh place in 2000.
“So far it has been a very rewarding year for the team as the hard work the guys have put in throughout the year have been highlighted by our improved and consistent results,” said Bargwanna.
“Now it is time to finish the year off on a high.”
Practice begins for the Bigpond Grand Finale at Sydney’s Eastern Creek on Friday December 3 with qualifying and race one held on Saturday December 4. The Championship culminates with a pair of 39-lap races on Sunday afternoon.
Network Ten will be telecasting the top ten shootout from 4:00 until 5:00pm on Saturday December 4 with the opening race telecast live from 6:00pm. The telecast continues on Sunday December 5 with four hours of coverage from 1:00pm.
Team sponsor, Orrcon, is one of Australia's largest manufacturers and distributors of tube, pipe and steel. With cutting edge technology and Quality Assurance certified to ISO 9001 in manufacturing, innovation, logistics and customer service solutions, Orrcon strives to achieve to be the best in Australia for the manufacture and supply of Precision, Structural and Oil & Gas Pipe.
ORRCON RACING DRIVER HISTORY AT EASTERN CREEK RACEWAY
Jason Bargwanna
V8 Supercar rounds – 6 (Debut Round 1, 1999)
Best overall result – 5th (Round 13, 2003)
Best qualifying position – 7th (Round 1, 1999)
2004 Round 2 results – Qualifying 19th, Race – 8th
Mark Winterbottom
V8 Supercar rounds – 1 (Debut Round 2, 2004)
Best overall result – 12th (Round 2, 2004)
Best qualifying position – 25th (Round 2, 2004)
2004 Round 2 results – Qualifying 25th, Race – 12th
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (After 12 of 13 rounds)
TOP 40
1: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 1982
2: Greg Murphy (Holden) 1825
3: Jason Bright (Holden) 1816
4: Russell Ingall (Ford) 1776
5: Rick Kelly (Holden) 1701
6: Steven Richards (Holden) 1661
7: Todd Kelly (Holden) 1513
8: Jason Bargwanna (Ford) 1402
9: John Bowe (Ford) 1400
10: Garth Tander (Holden) 1320
11: Steven Johnson (Ford) 1274
12: Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 1158
13: Cameron McConville (Holden) 1150
14: Mark Skaife (Holden) 1150
15: Paul Weel (Holden) 1146
16: Brad Jones (Ford) 1141
17: Glenn Seton (Ford) 1137
18: Jason Richards (Holden) 1109
19: Craig Lowndes (Ford) 1060
20: Warren Luff (Ford) 1049
21: Paul Radisich (Ford) 1014
22: Anthony Tratt (Holden) 991
23: Paul Morris (Holden) 991
24: Paul Dumbrell (Holden) 950
25: Steve Ellery (Ford) 937
26: Simon Wills (Holden) 887
27: Craig Baird (Holden) 859
28: Tony Longhurst (Holden) 856
29: Max Wilson (Ford) 749
30: David Besnard (Ford) 682
31: Greg Ritter (Ford) 372
32: Dale Brede (Holden) 365
33: Cameron McLean (Ford) 360
34: Fabian Coulthard (Holden) 330
35: Mark Noske (Ford) 304
36: Alex Yoong (Ford) 278
37: Thomas Mezera (Holden) 272
38: Jim Richards (Holden) 248
39: Luke Youlden (Ford) 240
40: Christian D'Agostin (Holden) 236
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday December 3
10:30am – 11:05am – Practice One
1:15pm – 1:50pm – Practice Two
Saturday December 4
11:40am – 12:00pm Warm Up
1:40pm – 2:00pm – Qualifying (lower 50%)
2:05pm – 2:25pm – Qualifying (upper 50%)
4:05pm – 4:35pm – Top Ten Shoot Out
6:30pm – Race One (26 laps)
Sunday December 5
10:00am – 10:20am – Warm Up
12:30pm – Race Two (39 laps)
3:40pm – Race Three (39 laps)
TELECAST TIMES
Network Ten
Saturday, December 4:
4.00pm - 5.00pm: Top Ten Shootout
6.00pm - 7.30pm: Race 1
Sunday, December 5:
1.00pm - 5.00pm. Race 2 & 3
Release Date: 26/11/2004
Larkham Orrcon Racing
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