TD: Dynamik topples Skaife – almost!
15/9/2003 12:34 (Press Release) -
In one of the most exciting V8 Supercar races of the season Team Dynamik’s duo of Jason Richards and Simon Wills almost pulled off a stunning victory.
Jason Richards started today’s 500 km race from 5th position on the grid after a sensational Top Ten shootout by Simon Wills moving up from 6th in yesterday's qualifying session to 5th for the start of the race.
An early pit stop and driver change saw the Team Dynamik #44 with Simon Wills at the wheel for the middle session. With the threat of rain on the horizon the Team elected to keep Simon out on rapidly degrading tyres during which time he was able to advance to 3rd position.
The Team then made the right decision to bring Simon in and change to wet tyres and put Jason in the car for the final session. Excellent team work together with the right strategy saw Jason in 2nd position although more than 6 seconds behind the leader Mark Skaife. After an extended safety car period and the race restart there were 6 cars between the Team Dynamik #44 car and Mark Skaifes HRT car. With an inspired run Jason closed the gap with three laps left to run and was able to challenge Skaife for the lead.
In a fierce battle with Skaife for over half a lap the opportunity for Jason to pass came just two laps from the end into turn 8. Halfway through the corner with Skaife covering Jasons attempts to pass, Skaife moved wide and made contact with Jasons front wheel causing steering damage and forcing him into the sand trap.
Although clearly able to challenge for the outright win the race was effectively over for the Team Dynamik #44 car and sadly finished with a DNF.
Qualifying in the Top Ten for the 9th time this season and able to run no worse than 6th for the entire race in both dry and wet conditions and setting second fastest lap time Team Dynamik has clearly put the rest of the V8 Supercar field on notice – bring on Bathurst!
The Team’s second car #45 battled to the end of the race after several skirmishes early on resulting in extensive handling problems to finish in 27th position.
--Team Dynamik press release
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