DEBRIS ENDS LUFF’S PODIUM CHANCE
7/4/2005 19:23 (Press Release) -
A speck of debris robbed Decina Racing’s Warren Luff of a podium spot in the opening race of the HPDC V8 Supercar Series on the streets of Adelaide tonight.
Luff made a solid start in the 24-lap event and was running a comfortable second behind eventual race winner Dean Canto when his right rear tyre was pierced on lap 19.
Luff felt the pressure on his tyre dropping and while he backed off his speed the tyre eventually shattered and the BA Decina Falcon was forced into the pits.
He rejoined the race in 10th place and picked up one more spot in the 20-car field before the chequered flag.
The race was won by pole sitter Dean Canto from Adam Macrow, Tony D’Alberto and Luff’s Paul Cruickshank Racing teammate Phillip Scifleet.
“We had a solid start and slotted into a solid rhythm in second place,” said Luff.
“We had a set-up that was coming on quite well towards the end of the race when I picked up something that put a tiny hole in the tyre.
“I can’t remember going through any debris, but obviously it was something quite small and at dusk it is always difficult to see what is on the circuit.
“At the end of the day it was good to salvage some reasonable points.
“We need to be patient tomorrow and pick our way through the field for a solid result.”
Decina Racing Team Manager Jim Morton was pleased that Luff had enough “feel” to realise that his tyre was deflating.
“I don’t know if we would have caught the leader, but we were looking OK for second,” said Morton.
“It was good that Warren caught the problem early and took it easy so the tyre wouldn’t blow out and throw him into a wall.”
PCR principal, Paul Cruickshank, said there would be some work done on the car overnight in an effort to improve overall car speed.
“We obviously lacked a little bit when it came to the balance of the car when you look at the inconsistency in the sector times,” said Cruickshank.
“Unfortunately by the time we could definitely confirm Warren’s tyre was going flat, he had gone past the entrance to pit lane and was forced to do another lap.
“We just need to re-group tomorrow and make sure we have a solid game plan.”
Tomorrow’s 24-lap race starts at 9.55am
RACE 1 - RESULTS
1: Dean Canto (Ford) – 24 Laps
2: Adam Macrow (Ford)
3: Tony D’Alberto (Holden)
4: Phillip Scifleet (Ford)
5: Gary MacDonald (Ford)
6: Grant Elliott (Holden)
7: Mark Porter (Ford)
8: Mark Howard (Ford)
9: Warren Luff (Ford)
10: Adam Wallis (Ford)
11: Aaron McGill (Holden) – 23 Laps
12: Gary Dean (Ford)
13: Shane Beikoff (Ford)
14: Mark Pependell (Holden) – 22 Laps
15: John Henderson (Ford)
16: Scott Loadsman (Holden)
17: Greg Smith (Ford)
DNF: Jay Verdnik (Holden) – 17 Laps
DNF: Dean Wanless (Ford) – 13 Laps
DNF: Jose Fernandez (Ford) – 12 Laps
Release Date: 18/03/2005
Decina Racing
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