Storm brewing over track time, as pre-qualifiers gain vital edge
5/4/2002 15:14 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
For some it is a do-or-die battle to survive. For others, it’s a rare opportunity to gain a decisive edge over their opponents – this weekend, more than ever, it could be a telling blow.
The pre-qualifying curse will strike again next weekend at Phillip Island Raceway, with another star-studded line-up to battle for precious grid positions on Friday.
AVESCO have again moved the goal posts, with entry now determined by qualifying from the previous round, in this case the Clipsal 500. Adelaide’s fastest 25 gain automatic 'Island entry, a more accurate reflection of those deserving of qualification, but 14 drivers still face the daunting pre-qualifying assignment.
Paul Radisich heads the bill, after his disastrous practice crash in Adelaide. Joining him are Brad Jones, Paul Morris, Cameron McConville, Cameron McLean, Rodney Forbes, Paul Weel, John Faulkner, Paul Romano and Anthony Tratt.
Tomas Mezera and Dugal McDougall will both have another shot at pre-qualifying after their failed attempts to make the Adelaide grid, while Matthew White and Dick Johnson Racing’s Greg Ritter face pre-qualifying on their first outing in the V8 Supercar series this year.
Seven drivers will qualify for the 32-car grid. Seven won’t.
It’s a risky business, but there are significant advantages to be had. With AVESCO slashing Saturday practice time to just two 20-minute sessions – 50 minutes less than was available in Adelaide – the half-hour of pre-qualifying track time is a massive bonus.
Come qualifying on Saturday afternoon, Radisich’s Falcon should be among the best set-up cars in the field. Barring any unforeseen hurdles, he’ll be hard to beat.
The reduction in practice time has riled some, with Stone Brothers Racing's David Besnard today calling the decision a “recipe for disaster.”
"Phillip Island is a place that you have to sneak up on," Besnard said.
"I believe a couple of 20-minute sessions will place too much pressure on some guys to go quick too soon and that always presents a recipe for disaster."
Besnard suggested rather than reduce track time, officials could limit the amount of laps allowed in qualifying, similar to Formula One.
"That way you will have time to make changes to the car and get it right,” he said. “You could also have cars on the track for an hour or so for the fans."
Teammate Marcos Ambrose said the decision plays into the hands of the five-car Tom Walkinshaw Racing squad, led by championship heavyweights the Holden Racing Team.
"There is little doubt that a couple of 20-minute sessions will also help the cause of HRT dramatically," Ambrose said.
"HRT used to use Phillip Island as a test track and they will have five cars running around at the weekend, all adding to the banks of data they already have."
Just what every non-TWR driver in the field didn’t want to hear...
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