ORRCON READY TO FIGHT BACK IN NZ
13/4/2005 23:29 (Press Release) -
After an action packed opening round of the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship Larkham – Orrcon Racing are aiming for a good result to elevate their drivers up the Championship table this weekend in Pukekohe, New Zealand.
Jason Bargwanna started last year’s Championship in fine fashion and was in fifth position when the Championship headed across the Tasman at the corresponding time in 2004.
This year it is a different story for the 32-year-old.
Following a high speed incident during the opening race in Adelaide the crew worked tirelessly to repair his severely damaged Orrcon Racing Falcon only to also finish the second 250km race on the sidelines after an engine failure ended the former Bathurst Champion’s charge.
As a consequence Bargwanna finds himself in an unusual position near the bottom of the Championship points.
The two consolations the pint sized campaigner will take from the opening round are the dedication and commitment by the team in repairing the car overnight and the fact this year’s Championship allows drivers to drop their worst points scoring round.
It was a different story for team-mate Mark Winterbottom who recovered from a fuel regulator problem in the opening race in Adelaide to finish inside the top 15 in the second 72 lap journey of the weekend.
After running as high as 12th in last year’s Championship, Winterbottom will be aiming to build on a full year of experience at the highest level of Australian motorsport, beginning the second assignment of season 2005 with added zest.
The action begins on Friday with a two hour practice session followed by qualifying, top ten shootour and the opening race on Saturday. The round is highlighted with a pair of 50-lap races on Sunday.
JASON BARGWANNA – Orrcon Racing Falcon #10
“Pukekohe is one track that is full of character and one that I really enjoy. Personally it is one of the circuits that I think there should be more of. It reminds me a lot of the old Lakeside circuit.
“I have heard a lot of rumours about what they have changed in the surface but until we get out there tomorrow I’m not sure how it will affect everything.
“Adelaide wasn’t the way we would have liked to have started the year off but this weekend it is all about getting the points on the board and climbing back up the table.”
MARK WINTERBOTTOM – Orrcon Racing Falcon #20
“Pukekohe is the type of track where qualifying can really make or break your weekend.
“You really need to have a good car in quakifying and get up the front of the field as it is very hard to pass on such a tight circuit.
“I had my first look at the track last year and I am really looking forward to get back out there tomorrow.
“I think pit strategy and the time spent during stops will be vital this weekend due to such a short lap time.”
FAST FACTS
Track Length: 2.82km
Average Speed: 186 km/h
Max Speed: 270 km/h (End of the back straight entering Turn 5)
Min Speed: 64 km/h (Turn 5)
Max lateral G-force: 2.0 exiting turn 6
Full Throttle: 52% of the lap
Average Throttle: 61%
2004 result – 1st Jason Bright, 2nd Marcos Ambrose, 3rd Greg Murphy
The Pukekohe circuit is located 40km south of Auckland on Manukau Road, Pukekohe, New Zealand
JASON BARGWANNA
Championship rounds: 89
Victories: 4
Podium finishes: 13
Debut: 1997 – Sandown
First Win: 1998 – Calder Park
Highlight of career: 2000 Bathurst Victory
Current Championship Position: 33rd
Best Round Finish at Pukekohe: 5th – 2003
2004 Facts
Top Ten Finishes: 6
Shootouts: 6
Cars passed during races: 70
Most cars passed in one race: 16 (Race 2, Round 1 – Adelaide)
Highest position in standings: 5th (after Round 2)
Overall championship position: 8th
2004 PlaceMakers V8 International
Qualifying: 10th
Race Results: Race One – 27th, Race Two – DNF, Race Three - 21st
Overall: 29th
MARK WINTERBOTTOM
Championship rounds: 16
Debut: 2003 – Sandown
Top Ten Race Finishes: 3
Current Championship Position: 19th
Best Round Finish at Pukekohe: 27th – 2004
2004 Facts
Top Ten Race Finishes: 3
Cars passed during races: 56
Most cars passed in one race: 13 (Round 2 – Eastern Creek)
Highest position in standings: 12th (after Round 12)
Overall championship position: 18th
2004 PlaceMakers V8 International
Qualifying: 23rd
Race Results: Race One – 25th, Race Two - 14th, Race Three - DNF
Overall: 27th
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (After 1 of 13 Rounds)
1: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) - 192
2: Craig Lowndes (Ford) - 183
3: Todd Kelly (Holden) - 162
4: Paul Weel (Holden) - 141
5: Steven Johnson (Ford) - 141
6: Russell Ingall (Ford) - 138
7: Paul Dumbrell (Holden) - 135
8: Cameron McConville (Holden) - 129
9: Rick Kelly (Holden) - 126
10: Jason Bright (Ford) – 108
11. Paul Morris (Holden) 108
12: Steven Richards (Holden) 105
13: Jamie Whincup (Holden) 102
14: Paul Radisich (Holden) 99
15: Brad Jones (Ford) 99
16:Glenn Seton (Ford) 96
17: Mark Skaife (Holden) 90
18: Steve Own (Ford) 84
19. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 84
20: Greg Murphy (Holden) 81
21: Max Wilson (Holden) 78
22: Garth Tander (Holden) 78
23: David Besnard (Ford) 75
24: Matthew White (Ford) 63
25: Anthony Tratt (Holden) 63
26: John Bowe (Ford) 63
27: Andrew Jones (Holden) 51
28: Craig Baird (Ford) 48
29: Simon Wills (Holden) 42
30: Jason Richards (Holden) 39
31: Alex Davison (Holden) 36
32: Greg Ritter (Ford) 0
33. Jason Bargwanna (Ford) 0
34: Steve Ellery (Ford) 0
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday April 15
1:00pm - 3:10pm Practice (Max 50 laps)
Saturday April 16
11:30am – 11:50am Qualifying (Lower 50%)
11:5am – 12:15pm Qualifying (Upper 50%)
12:30pm - 1:00pm Top Ten shootout
3:00pm – Race One (36 laps)
Sunday April 17
9:35am – 10:25am – Pit Walk
12:05 - Race 2 – (50 laps)
2:30pm – 3:15pm – Driver Parade
4:30pm – Race 3 (50 laps)
TV TELECAST - Network Ten
Sunday April 17
12:00pm - 17:00pm
Release Date: 13/04/2005
Larkham Orrcon Racing
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