R2K RACES - Parsons wins as format reaps havoc
18/3/2001 22:31 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
David Parsons went from circulating in last place in race one to the highest position on the podium by day’s end at the second round of the Konica Series at Oran Park today, on a day when the reverse grid again reaped havoc.
Parsons was dead last after the first racing lap of the day following a start line altercation with Leanne Ferrier, but stormed through the 24-car field to finish tenth. The 45-year-old veteran was then promoted to the front row under the controversial top ten reverse grid rules, putting him in prime position to win the remaining two races.
While “Truckie” Parsons’ superb performance, his first win in a V8 Supercar, was an impressive driving display from a man better known as an endurance race sub, it exposed inherent flaws in AVESCO’s action-cajoling system.
Pole-sitter Simon Wills won the first heat convincingly, but struggled with his demotion in the second. The championship leader battled worn tyres to make plenty of ground in the remaining two races, but not enough to earn him a spot on the podium.
Michael Simpson, who again upstaged more fancied opponents with a solid drive, and Paul Dumbrell, third in the first race, could consider themselves unlucky victims of the destructive reverse grid.
Simpson, driving the still unsponsored ex-Stone Brothers EL Falcon, was pleased all the same with the podium result.
"I think today was a solid result for the entire team," Simpson said. "My guys are virtually doing everything for nothing and it is a good feeling for all of us to be rewarded with a trophy.”
Craig Harris, a race leader before Parsons dived under the Castrol Falcon coming onto the main straight late in the third race, was the model of consistency to finish ahead of Simpson in second overall.
The new first lady of Australian motorsport, Wakefield Park sensation Leanne Ferrier, had a forgettable day after the Parsons contact in race one bent her steering and forced her into premature retirement. From the back of the grid in race two, the 20-year-old carved-up the field early only to be put out of action by a backmarker.
"There were five or so cars all together going into the first corner and Leanne was sliding, her left front wheel touched the right back part of my car and she went off," Parsons said of the race one coming-together. "She was upset about it but she will come back.”
Fifth overall was enough of a points-earner to keep Simon Wills in the championship chase lead, narrowly ahead of Parsons, Simpson and Dumbrell.
Many drivers will push for a review of the Konica class format to be put on the agenda before round three at Victoria’s Winton Raceway.
**RACE ONE - TOP TEN**
1st SIMON WILLS (Team Dynamik) - VT Commodore
2nd MICHAEL SIMPSON (Michael Simpson Racing) - EL Falcon
3rd PAUL DUMBRELL (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
4th OWEN KELLY (John Faulkner Racing) - VS Commodore
5th CRAIG HARRIS (Castrol/Harris Racing) - AU Falcon
6th MAL ROSE (Mal Rose Racing) - VS Commodore
7th DALE BREDE (NRC Racing) - VT Commodore
8th GARRY HOLT (Eastern Creek Kart Racing) - EL Falcon
9th TERRY WYHOON (Terry Wyhoon Racing) - VS Commodore
10th DAVID PARSONS (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
**RACE TWO - TOP TEN**
1st DAVID PARSONS (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
2nd DALE BREDE (NRC Racing) - VT Commodore
3rd CRAIG HARRIS (Castrol/Harris Racing) - AU Falcon
4th OWEN KELLY (John Faulkner Racing) - VS Commodore
5th MICHAEL SIMPSON (Michael Simpson Racing) - EL Falcon
6th TERRY WYHOON (Terry Wyhoon Racing) - VS Commodore
7th PAUL DUMBRELL (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
8th SIMON WILLS (Team Dynamik) - VT Commodore
9th GARRY HOLT (Eastern Creek Kart Racing) - EL Falcon
10th ALAN HEATH (Power Racing) - AU Falcon
**RACE THREE - TOP TEN**
1st DAVID PARSONS (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
2nd CRAIG HARRIS (Castrol/Harris Racing) - AU Falcon
3rd OWEN KELLY (John Faulkner Racing) - VS Commodore
4th MICHAEL SIMPSON (Michael Simpson Racing) - EL Falcon
5th SIMON WILLS (Team Dynamik) - VT Commodore
6th PAUL DUMBRELL (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore
7th DALE BREDE (NRC Racing) - VT Commodore
8th KEVIN MUNDY (Castrol/Harris Racing) - AU Falcon
9th ALAN HEATH (Power Racing) - AU Falcon
10th ROSS HALIDAY (3M Racing) - EL Falcon
**CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE**
1st SIMON WILLS (Team Dynamik) - VT Commodore [436]
2nd DAVID PARSONS (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore [410]
3rd MICHAEL SIMPSON (Michael Simpson Racing) - EL Falcon [394]
4th PAUL DUMBRELL (Gibson Motorsport) - VT Commodore [377]
5th CRAIG HARRIS (Castrol/Harris Racing) - AU Falcon [362]
6th DALE BREDE (NRC Racing) - VT Commodore [336]
7th OWEN KELLY (John Faulkner Racing) - VS Commodore [328]
8th LEANNE FERRIER (Garry Rogers Motorsport) - VT Commodore [292]
9th TERRY WYHOON (Terry Wyhoon Racing) - VS Commodore [280]
10th MAL ROSE (Mal Rose Racing) - VS Commodore [260]
For complete race results:
http://www.natsoft.com.au/cgi-bin/results.cgi?18/03/2001.ORAN
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