R1 QUALIFYING - HRT on fire at the Island
12/2/2000 13:51 (Jason Whittaker) - Reigning Shell Championship Series title holder, Craig Lowndes has opened his 2000 account with a new qualifying record and the first pole position of the year in his Holden Racing Team VT Commodore.
Lowndes was unperturbed by the ten minute halt to the session caused by John Faulkner and Larry Perkins spinning off on the main straight, setting his record time of 1:32.07 just minutes after the restart.
Other competitors were unable to match Lowndes' speed, leaving 'The Kid' in the best position to start his defence of his Shell Series title.
Valvoline Cummins young gun, Garth Tander joins Lowndes on the front row for this afternoon's first race while Mark Skaife and Larry Perkins round out an all Holden top four. Tony Longhurst's Havoline Caltex Falcon AU was the fastest Ford in fifth with Paul Radisich and Glenn Seton the only other Ford drivers in the top ten.
Friday's pace setter, Greg Murphy, steered his Kmart Holden into seventh place while Shell Helix Ford's Paul Radisich set the early pace but was unable to match the Holdens as the session wore on, finishing in eighth.
Steven Johnson qualified in in 16th place in his first outing as a full time V8 Supercar driver, filling the seat in the number 17 Shell Ford which his father, Dick, held for many years.
Rain began to fall almost immediately following the session, setting the scene for an interesting race this afternoon.
The first of two 45 minute races will commence at 2.45 today while the round winner will be decided after race two on Sunday.
**TOP 10**
1. CRAIG LOWNDES Holden Racing Team Holden VT (1:32.07)
2. GARTH TANDER Valvoline Cummins Race Team Holden VT (1:32.36)
3. MARK SKAIFE Holden Racing Team Holden VT (1:32.49)
4. LARRY PERKINS Castrol Perkins Racing Holden VT (1:32.53)
5. TONY LONGHURST Caltex Havoline Racing Ford AU (1:32.56)
6. RUSSELL INGALL Castrol Perkins Racing Holden VT (1:32.76)
7. GREG MURPHY Kmart Racing Holden VT (1:32.84)
8. PAUL RADISICH Shell Helix Racing Ford AU (1:32.95)
9. JASON BARGWANNA Valvoline Cummins Race Team Holden VT (1:33.02)
10. GLENN SETON Ford Tickford Racing Ford AU (1:33.06)
| |
