TKR finish 7th on debut with new driver and new car
7/4/2005 15:23 (Press Release) -
Team Kiwi Racing have come away from the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix where the teams new V8 Supercar driver Paul Radisich achieved a magnificent 7th position for Team Kiwi on debut with his new team and car.
Radisich drove the brand new TKR machine for the very first time on
Friday morning at the Melbourne Grand Prix completing 7 laps in practice before being thrown in the deep end for qualifying where he
managed to qualify in an impressive 9th position.
Race 1 proved the new combination at TKR is definitely going to be a package worth keeping an eye on in 2005, with Radisich finishing the race in 7th position.
Race 2 saw Radisich start from 7th on the grid, proving he was able to match it with the best teams in the championship, until Steven Richards made contact with the rear quarter of the TKR machine spinning Radisich out of contention for potentially yet another top 10 finish for the weekend.
Race 3 saw the TKR machine have to start from rear of the field with plenty of work ahead for Radisich to gain a top 15 finish. Radisich started off well, making up several positions in the first 2 laps to be just outside the top 15 before he and Tony Longhurst had a coming together as Radisich was attempting another overtaking manoeuvre.
Unfortunately for Radisich, Longhurst did not see him coming and the two cars had a coming together which resulted in the front spoiler of the TKR machine being split in two, so the teams decision was to not risk any further damage and brought the TKR car into the pits for the remainder of the race.
With no points on offer for the V8 Supercar teams at the Melbourne Grand Prix event, TKR used the weekend to gain valuable track data and time in the car for Paul Radisich in preparation for the first round of the V8 Supercar Championship starting in Adelaide in 2 weekends time.
"I am very excited about the potential of this package" said Radisich.
"Straight out of the box we were able to qualify in 9th position after only 7 laps in the new car".
TKR have their first test day planned for the 11th March in QLD, where Radisich will have some extra seat time to become more familiar with the new machine after changing from Ford to Holden this year, while the TKR crew will have the opportunity to fine-tune the new package in preparation for the Adelaide 500.
Release Date: 08/03/2005
Team Kiwi Racing
|
|
