Morris charges into top ten in V8 Supercars
19/4/2005 13:19 (Press Release) -
Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driver Paul Morris emerged 10th fastest in today's sole practice session ahead of Sunday's second round of the V8 Supercar Championship at Pukekohe in New Zealand.
Morris, who is 10th equal in the championship points, clocked a best lap time of 56.177-secs in practice on the 2.8km high-speed track south of Auckland.
The 37-year-old from Queensland's Gold Coast set the time on his 51st and penultimate lap of the session after a new set of Dunlop control tyres were fitted to his VZ Commodore.
His best lap was just 0.364-secs behind the fastest time of 55.813-secs set by 2005 championship leader Marcos Ambrose in a Pirtek Ford Falcon.
Paul Radisich, driving a Paul Morris Motorsports-built Team Kiwi Racing VZ Commodore, was the leading New Zealand driver in practice with the third fastest time. PMM and TKR have entered into a technical partnership this year.
Practice was held in fine conditions. Tomorrow's schedule comprises qualifying, followed by the Top 10 Shoot Out, and then a 100km race. The round will be completed with two 140km races on Sunday.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "The lap times are really close here, and we seem to be competitive which is good. Speed-wise this is one of the fastest tracks in the championship, and it seems even quicker this year because the surface is smoother from the recent work they've done. During practice we worked our way through various set-up changes on 'old' tyres, trying different things to try and improve the car. Near the end of the session we put fresh rubber on the car to see what it was capable of doing and that's when I did my best lap time. Paul (Radisich) is right up there on the time sheets and it's a good effort to have both cars built by my team in the top 10. Last year I had a big shunt here, but I think we can get some good results this weekend."
RESULTS – PRACTICE:
POS DRIVER CAR TIME
1. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Ford Falcon 55.813
2. Steven Richards Team Perkins Holden Commodore 55.832
3. Paul Radisich Team Kiwi Holden Commodore 55.889
4. Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team Commodore 55.896
5. Garth Tander HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore 55.936
6. Craig Lowndes Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 55.999
7. Jamie Whincup Tasman Motorsport Holden Commodore 56.046
8. Paul Dumbrell Team Perkins Holden Commodore 56.095
9. Greg Murphy Super Cheap Auto Holden Commodore 56.153
10. Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore 56.177
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after round 1): Ambrose 192, Lowndes 183, T. Kelly 162, Weel 141, Johnson 141, Ingall 138, Dumbrell 135, McConville 129, R. Kelly 126, Morris 108, Bright 108
Release Date: 15/04/2005
Sirromet Wines - PMM
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