R13 PREV – Bright's battle of the bridesmaids
29/11/2002 1:13 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Nobody ever remembers who finishes second, it’s said. So why is the competition to be V8 Supercar racing’s reluctant bridesmaid so fierce?
"There's no time for a softly, softly approach this weekend," vice-championship contender Jason Bright said.
"There are no tomorrows as far as this year’s series is concerned, so we'll just try to go as hard as we can in practice, qualifying and racing to finish ahead of Murph [Greg Murphy] and hopefully finish second to Mark [Skaife]."
Bright and Kmart Racing stablemate Murphy are locked in a desperate and rather undignified scrap for the crumbs left after Skaife devoured this year’s V8 Supercar spoils.
Almost two months after Skaife secured his fifth title at Bathurst, the battle for second will go down to the wire at Sandown Raceway’s season finale, the Betta Electrical V8 Ultimate, this weekend.
Bright, the only other multiple round victor this year, has the added pressure of delivering the Holden Racing Team its first championship quinella.
It would be a crushing team result, fitting after a year of unrivalled dominance, but Bright must overcome the late-season challenge of Murphy, who holds a slim 27-point advantage after his last-round triumph on home soil at Pukekohe.
And if they slip up, Murphy’s teammate Todd Kelly and Perkins Racing’s Steven Richards are in a position to pounce. Even Ford’s Marcos Ambrose, in sixth, has a mathematical shot.
The popular 3.1km Melbourne circuit will offer perhaps the year’s most demanding test: a 150km warm-up race on Saturday before Sunday’s gruelling 300km season showdown.
In predicted hot conditions, with compulsory pit stops for tyres and fuel, the winner will earn the trophy.
"I don't think people realise how tough Sunday's race is going to be,” Bright said.
“[The] race is really going to test the drivers – particularly if it's hot – so the last half hour could have quite a bearing on the outcome. It's a real challenge and one to look forward to.”
With the silly season in full swing, there’s plenty to drive for throughout the 36-car field. Russell Ingall and Neil Crompton will drive for their respective teams for the final time, while some are fighting to retain their positions.
Then there’s Larry. The master, the bespectacled racing icon, Larry Perkins is taking a final, typically humble, bow at Sandown. He may be back for next year’s endurance races – “should I be the right guy” – but, either way, this weekend marks the end of an era.
“I can’t devote the time to do the job of driving properly these days,” he said, “so I guess it's time to move on and give a young bloke a go.”
V8 Ultimate qualifying is scheduled for this afternoon.
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