Wilson 'Wows' them in race one at Clipsal
13/4/2005 17:41 (Press Release) -
The ‘WOW Sight & Sound’ sponsored Holden Commodore of Longhurst Racing entered the circuit in 31st position as the race got underway on in hot sunny conditions in Adelaide today.
Max Wilson was confident and looking forward to the race this morning saying, “I am really happy with the job the team have done on the car since yesterday. They have worked hard to give me the best chance they can considering the position I am starting from.
“ I have been working with the strategist and together we have a plan for the race that I think will be good for me. ”
Wilson pitted early in Lap 6 in relation to the rest of the field, this strategy seemed to pay off when there was a yellow flag caused by a racing incident between Radisich driving Team Kiwi car #021 and Lowndes driving Team Betta Electrical car #888, in the very next lap.
Wilson showed a lot of skill to work his way through the field in the first 25 laps of the 78 lap race to gain 19 places positioning him12th. He was able to avoid any of the incidents happening around him including the demise of Ellery driving Team Betta Electrical car #88, who hit the wall causeing the safety car to enter the circuit.
While the safety car was out, Wilson driving the ‘WOW Sight & Sound’ sponsored Holden Commodore of Longhurst Racing, car #45 came pitted for fuel on lap 26.
Having an excellent fuel stop re-entered the race in 26th spot. This completed the compulsory stops necessary for him.
The impact of Ellery’s collision with the concrete the barriers and the damage sustained, caused an extended period under safety car conditions. Allowing many of the teams and drivers to undertake their compulsory pit stops for either fuel or tyres.
By Lap 31 Wilson had continued to work his way back up the field and was sitting comfortably in 19th position. Come Lap 42 Wilson was still battling to come through the field, but managing to hold his place in 19th position.
The car was handling well and the team very happy with the performance of the ‘WOW Sight & Sound’ sponsored Commodore.
By Lap 47 when the safety car came out yet again Wilson had gained 2 more places to be in 17th position.
Lap 52 saw car #10 driven by Jason Bargwanna hit the barrier heavily at turn 9 having an abrupt end to his campaign for today. This caused the safety car to enter the track yet again. Wilson caused some heart stopping moments for his support crew around this time when he spun the car, in a patch of oil on the track, but managed to control it and hold his 19th position.
On Lap 56 Wilson was forced to retire due to a reoccurrence of yesterdays electrical malfunction shutting the engine down with near 75% of the race completed.
This was indeed unfortunate after the great work Wilson had put in, in the early part of the race managing to climb as high as 12th place at one point. Wilson was philosophical after the race commenting that the car had handled well and he had felt confident throughout the race right up until he was forced to retire. “I felt I could have gone on to finish well”.
“I was hoping for a top ten finish today and would have been pleased to have been able to do that for Tony Longhurst and the ‘Wow Sight & Sound’ Team who have showed trust in my ability to drive a good race for them”, - commented Wilson. “Tomorrow is another day and we will certainly be trying to get the gremlins out of the car and back for a good start tomorrow,” concluded Wilson.
Tomorrow’s event features the Drivers Parade Lap at 11.40am, with Race 2 commencing at 2.00 pm.
Release Date: 19/03/2005
Lonnghurst Racing
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