R1 RACE 1 - Lowndes holds off young-gun
12/2/2000 19:19 (Jason Whittaker) - Craig Lowndes has got off to the perfect start to his Shell Championship Series title defence, holding off a strong challenge from Garth Tander to win the opening race at Phillip Island.
Tander and Lowndes battled hard throughout the first of two 45 minute races, with the Valvoline Cummins Holden youngster holding sway early before the three-time champion pegged him back.
"I got a terrible start but got back and finished well. It's a good start to the year. It was a great race from Garth, he is really going well," said Lowndes. "We test at Phillip Island so we expect to do well here. If we don't, there's obviously something wrong."
Tander was pleased to start the year so positively after being widely tipped as one who could pressure the HRT duo who dominated the 1999 season.
"It's great to be close to the HRT boys early in the year, you don't want to give them a start," said the 22 year-old.
Lowndes' HRT teammate, Mark Skaife was third, holding off the super quick Tickford Ford of Neil Crompton who finished fourth.
"Crompton was pretty quick," said Skaife. "That's a good indication that the Fords will be right up there in the second race tomorrow."
Finishing strongly were the Shell Helix Ford of Paul Radisich and the second Tickford Ford driven by Glenn Seton. Both stalled on the grid at the start but recovered to finish fifth and sixth respectively.
"I got a shocking start and pushed the car as hard as I could while trying to save the tyres and made quite a bit of headway," said Radisich. "If I can get off the line tomorrow, we should do well."
Impressing in his debut drive in a Wynn's Holden was seventh placed Rodney Forbes. Stepping into a professional outfit, the ex-privateer is enjoying the change.
"The Wynn's team is providing me an environment conducive to doing well," said Forbes.
Tony Longhurst qualified as the highest placed Ford driver but his race ended on the fourth lap when gearbox problems struck his Caltex Havoline Falcon.
Jason Bargwanna wasn't able to impress in the opening race, spinning his Valvoline Cummins Holden on the opening lap, while the Castrol Holden duo of Larry Perkins and Russell Ingall struggled to match the front running pace.
Top privateer from 1999, Cameron McLean, had a miserable debut in his AU Ford, failing to make the start with electrical problems.
Tyre tactics will be all important tomorrow in the new look race format on show this weekend. Each driver is permitted only ten tyres for the weekend, and with some sure to be ruined after the quick race today and hot weather expected tomorrow, some drivers may battle to make the distance.
Tander is one who is well aware of the importance of a good race strategy.
"When I got the lead, I got a bit excited and maybe went a bit too quick which ate up the tyres and cost me later on. We will adjust that strategy accordingly tomorrow," said Tander.
Lowndes and Tander will again line up on the front row of the grid for tomorrow's deciding race and the heat and the fast Fords behind them are sure to make for some frantic action.
**TOP 10**
1. CRAIG LOWNDES (Mobil-Holden Racing) - VT Commodore
2. GARTH TANDER (Team Valvoline-Cummins) - VT Commodore
3. MARK SKAIFE (Mobil-Holden Racing) - VT Commodore
4. NEIL CROMPTON (Ford-Tickford Racing) - AU Falcon
5. PAUL RADISICH (Shell Helix Racing) - AU Falcon
6. GLENN SETON (Ford-Tickford Racing) - AU Falcon
7. RODNEY FORBES (Wynn's Racing) - VT Commodore
8. MARK LARKHAM (Mitre 10 Racing) - AU Falcon
9. CRAIG BAIRD (Pirtek Racing) - AU Falcon
10. JOHN FAULKNER (JFR Make-A-Wish Signiture Racing) - VT Commodore
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