R2 PREV - Brede's Island dream to stamp mark on series
2/5/2002 23:30 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Dale Brede has his sights firmly set on the Konica Series trophy this season.
“We set ourselves a goal at the start of the season to win the championship and I’m totally focussed on doing that,” the 26-year-old Canberra driver said.
The round one winner, part of the professional Craig Harris outfit, has emerged as a formidable championship opponent for hot pre-season favourite, Paul Dumbrell.
The two exciting youngsters will go head-to-head again this weekend, in a healthy 29-car field, for the second round of the championship at Victoria's Phillip Island Raceway.
The undulating, wind-swept Grand Prix circuit is the ultimate test for the Konica young-guns. But it’s a circuit Brede enjoys.
“I love Phillip Island, it’s my favourite circuit apart from Bathurst,” he said. “I got my first ever podium [result] there in 1999 in a Formula Holden and I think that’s always given me extra confidence.”
Nineteen-year-old Dumbrell, a sophomore on the Konica circuit, knows he can’t afford misadventures like those had in the opening round at Wakefield Park. With just five rounds in the series, there’s no room to move.
"I will be looking to keep the car on track and finish all three races in as good a position as possible this weekend," said Dumbrell, who lurks 30 points behind Brede in second.
"With the championship being reduced to five rounds this year it is vital to secure points early and not make mistakes. Mistakes cost points.”
Increasing the final of three races this season from 20 minutes to a 35-minute staying test is also proving a worthy challenge. Tyre conservation, particularly at Phillip Island, will be a vital ingredient of Konica success.
Former series runner-up, Matthew White has received a much-needed financial boost, signing automotive accessaries outlet Saas as a sponsor this weekend. White is fifth in the championship after a solid hit-out at Wakefield Park.
Luke Youlden, an apprentice with Steven Ellery’s Super Cheap Auto Racing team, will make his Konica Series debut this weekend, replacing Bob Thorn who is away on business.
Steve Owen will also make his debut, piloting an Imrie Motorsport Commodore. The 27-year-old briefly played in the major league at Eastern Creek last weekend, standing in for Tomas Mezera at IMS, but missed the cut in pre-qualifying.
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