R6K PREV - Young-guns deserve the title: Parsons
10/8/2001 11:31 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Veteran Konica Series racer David Parsons is hopeful one of the series’ emerging names takes out the championship crown this weekend – despite being in a position to win it himself.
47-year-old Parsons says young title aspirants Paul Dumbrell and Simon Wills deserve the career kick-start a championship win would bring.
“Paul or Simon would get a lot more out of winning the championship than I would. It would be fantastic for their careers,” Parsons said.
“I have basically done the championship this year to get some more miles under my belt before Bathurst, but things have gone very well for me.
“My team-mate Paul (Gibson Motorsport’s Dumbrell) has really matured this year and he may have been even further ahead in the championship if not for a couple of off-track excursions at Phillip Island and Winton.”
Organisers would be delighted with the scenario: a tantalising showdown between two of the sport's most exciting up-and-comers in Dumbrell and Wills.
18-year-old Dumbrell, aboard his Gibson-prepared Wynn’s Commodore, leads the championship narrowly from 24-year-old Wills, driving a Biranna Racing Commodore, by just 14-points. And with Parsons lurking just 30-points behind, there is no margin for error.
Mallala also provides drivers and teams with a final hit-out before the endurance events – and for some, the opportunity to qualify for the season’s biggest races.
Leanne Ferrier, while not in championship contention, will warm-up for her enduro drive with Paul Dumbrell this weekend, as will Wills in preparation for his endurance assignment alongside John Bowe.
Michael Simpson will partner Craig Harris in his Castrol Falcon at Bathurst, and this weekend will again compete with the support of Queensland Raceway and the VIP Petfoods Queensland 500.
Harris is yet to secure funding for a Queensland 500 campaign, so both drivers will be out to impress at Mallala.
“It would be great if Craig and I could have strong results in our own right at Mallala and then continue the form into the endurance events,” Simpson said.
Qualifying will be held at Mallala Raceway, 55km north of Adelaide, tomorrow afternoon, ahead of three 20-minute sprint races on Sunday.
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