R4K PREV - Parsons warns youngsters of 'Island speed
25/5/2001 12:58 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
46-year-old veteran David Parsons will have a swarm of aspiring youngsters on his tail when the eclectic Konica V8 Supercar Series field races for round four honours at Phillip Island Raceway this weekend.
Parsons will stave-off likely challenges from Simon Wills, Paul Dumbrell, Leanne Ferrier, Michael Simpson and Dale Brede, most half his age, in defence of his slim Konica Series lead.
The seasoned Gibson Motorsport campaigner warned his much-younger combatants earlier this week of the breathtaking speed at the unforgiving ‘Island circuit.
"Phillip Island is an extremely fast and challenging circuit and it is very easy for some of these youngsters to get into trouble,” ‘Truckie’ Parsons said.
"As well as safety it is not cheap putting these V8 Supercars back together. A big 'off' at this circuit can result in cars being put out of not only the weekends racing, but further Championship races as well."
The prospect doesn’t phase his Gibson ally Paul Dumbrell, who, despite making his Phillip Island debut in a V8 Supercar, is primed for a good weekend.
"It will be a very exciting weekend of racing as Phillip Island will be the quickest circuit we have raced on in the Konica Series this year,” 18-year-old Dumbrell said.
"It is also the first time for me in my Wynn's Commodore VT so I will be concentrating on staying out of trouble and finishing all three races to collect as many points as possible.”
Dumbrell is second in the championship chase after a strong showing at the last round at Winton, 38 points behind Parsons.
Former series leader, a disillusioned Simon Wills, was considering abandoning his Konica Series campaign because of AVESCO’s unwavering commitment to reverse grid racing – something Wills had fought hard against.
After hours of deliberations with the Birrana Racing team, the dual Gold Star champion elected to see out the season.
“The team has decided to carry on for the rest of the season with the ambition of winning the championship and showing the big teams that this boy can peddle!” a team statement said.
Dale Brede has similar ambitions, despite being back in fifth on the points ladder. After a frustrating year to date, Brede is hoping for a more consistent showing.
"We have worked hard this season and deserve a strong result,” Brede said. “It really is a case of me doing all I can to deliver good results at Phillip Island – a circuit that I have been looking forward to racing our V8 Supercar at all season.”
Michael Simpson has changed his stripes for this weekend, running in Craig Harris’ Castrol Falcon in a bid to resurrect his championship hopes.
The Queenslanders’ self-funded campaign looked in ruins after a major shunt at Winton - his ex-Stone Brothers EL Falcon requiring repairs to the tune of $40,000. But with Harris out of the country on business, Simpson was thrown a lifeline.
"I can't tell if we will be faster or slower in Craig's Castrol Falcon, but I am sure we will be very competitive,” Simpson said.
Simpson was suffering from a head cold earlier in the week, but insists, “the drive from the Gold Coast to Phillip Island will help cure that!”
GT-Production and Porsche Cup share the card with the V8 Supercars at Phillip Island this weekend. Konica Series practice begins tomorrow morning, ahead of the afternoon’s qualifying.
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