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Supercars

WD 40 Phillip Island Supersprint 2019 Supercars

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HI to all you Supercars Fans around the World!

On the weekend of the 12th to the 14th of April 2019 was the WD-40 Phillip Island Supersprint.

The Fox Sport coverage themed the race around Fox’s hit drama series Game of Thrones, which is about to air their new season on TV. They included a “winner’s throne”, character dress ups and other stuff. I guess it was a bit of fun BUT it had nothing to do with racing so they can take their cross promotion and stick it up their ( x ).

Commentator, Mark Larkham was not at Phillip Island on the weekend due to personal reasons. Andrew Jones filled in for him. I’m not interested in prying into personal affairs but just want to say if its due to some form of tragedy, ‘Larko, our thoughts are with you’.

Last year Scott McLaughlin won both races at this track. With his winning streak so far this season I am sure was geared up and ready to go.

This weekend Supercars trialled closure of the pit lane while a Safety Car is deployed. This is apparently due to safety concerns over the usual mad rush to the pits when the race is flagged yellow. Just think back to Mostert and Kelly’s T-Bone incident in the pit lane earlier this season to see why they are trying to remedy this safety issue. What this will means is that the teams will have to think more strategically about when to take their pit stops.

This doesn’t change what happens when a race is flagged red. All drivers still have to come in from the track. This happened multiple times this weekend, three of which was because the local geese decided to take a stroll out on the track. The first instance was in Practice 1 between turns 6 And 7. Once the geese flew off the practice session resumed. It was kind of funny but also put a horrific picture in my mind of what would happen if they weren’t spotted in the first place.

The results for the pre-race sessions were as follows:

·        Anton De Pasquale was fastest in Practice 1

·        Fabian Coulthard was fastest in Practice 2

·        Scott McLaughlin was fastest in Practice 3

·        Scott McLaughlin was fastest in Qualifying for race 9

·        Fabian Coulthard was fastest again in Practice 4

In race 9 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position with Fabian Coulthard alongside him.

At the start of the 120km, 27 lap race Scott McLaughlin got the jump on Fabian Coulthard who had to slot behind him in 2nd place.

He tried to go around the outside of his teammate but that didn’t work out, Scott McLaughlin was just too fast.

During the race James Courtney and Tim Slade both had front right tyres go flat when going down the main straight at 260kms/ph. In both incidents I thought they were going to have a massive accident but thankfully for them and their teams they got away with no damage.

Shane Van Gisbergen’s team gave him an incredible 4.7 second pit stop to change tyres. That really is incredible.

When teammate, Jamie Whincup pitted the Car Controller stepped away too early and gave Jamie Whincup the go-ahead. However something went wrong in the communications and the right front wheel man had not been able to finish tightening the nut. Jamie Whincup lost the wheel completely before completing the next lap.

By the middle of the race Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard had secured their lead on the race.

In the last part of the race Shane Van Gisbergen made contact with Cameron Waters who received damage to his right rear wheel. Cameron Waters was now out of the race. Shane Van Gisbergen however was able to continue without much damage.

Cameron Waters and Jamie Whincup were the only driver to not complete the race. Both of them must have been devastated.

Race 9 finished with Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard in 1st and 2nd. Andre Heingartner came in 3rd earning Nissan Motorsport (aka the Kelly brothers) their first podium finish for the season. Congratulations!

Results for race 9

1st Scott McLaughlin – Shell V Power Racing Team.
2nd Fabian Coulthard -Shell V Power Racing Team.
3rd Andre Heimgartner – Nissan Motorsport.

 

Scott McLaughlin was fastest in Armour All Qualifying for race 10, earning him pole position. Alongside him was his teammate, Fabian Coulthard.

Race 10 was a 200km 45 lap race.

Fabian Coulthard got good launch from the start line but Scott McLaughlin still led into turn 1. Once again it made Shell V Power Racing Team 1st and 2nd.

Most of the drivers pitted on lap 5 to make sure they didn’t caught if the Safety Car was deployed. It seemed best to get the stops done as early as possible just in case, because if the safety car did come out the pit lane would’ve have been closed anyway.

Richie Stanaway took to the pits and his teammate, James Golding had to double stack. I don’t quite understand why the team made the decision to call them in at the same time.

Rick Kelly was holding up a bunch of cars and blocking them from getting by. It appeared to be poor sportsmanship. Commentator, Mark Skaife said he was being the modern day John Bowe (a former who also hogged the track regardless of other drivers). I thought that was a good comment.

In the middle of race Tim Slade was on the charge because he had new set of ‘green’ tyres. Most other drivers had long ago fitted their last set of tyres.

Towards the end of race, nobody could catch Fabian Coulthard and Scott McLaughlin. Once again the two Shell V Power Racing Team cars won the race, this time with Fabian Coulthard coming in 1st.

So both Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard got to sit on the Iron Throne.

This also puts Scott McLaughlin and Fabian Coulthard 1st and 2nd on the championship ladder.

Results for Race 10

1st Fabian Coulthard – Shell V Power Racing Team.
2nd Scott McLaughlin – Shell V Power Racing Team.
3rd Anton De Pasquale – Penrite Racing Erebus Motorsport.

 

 

The next event is the Pirtek Perth Supernight on the 2nd to the 4th of May, 2019.

Please feel free to comment on the event or my review via my Facebook Fanpage.

https://www.facebook.com/williamsperfectride/?ref=bookmarks

 

Post Race Report, V8 Supercars

Phillip Island Post Race Report 2016

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Renee Gracie

Hi to all you v8 Supercars fans around the world.

On the weekend of the 15th – 17th of April 2016 was the Phillip Island Supersprint. Last year this event was held in November.

Dad and I headed down to Phillip Island on the 13th April which was a Wednesday, so that we could stop over night at Wangaratta then go to the Cowes Hotel on the Thursday. Upon arriving in Cowes, we went to the hotel. The Pelican Hotel, this place was deserted and Dad kept ringing them, at 5pm we went and found a new hotel to stay in… While we had booked the accessible room at the Pelican Hotel, we had to settle for a room that was not. This made it difficult for me to have a shower each day as the bathroom wasn’t set up for my shower chair. Dad is my hero, he managed to get things done… This problem cost us more money than we had budgeted for… I would also like to thank you to the Tropicana Hotel that looked after us…

Practice 1

Practice 2

Practice 3

In race 6 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position alongside him was Chaz Mostert on the 27 lap race.

Scott McLaughlin got the jump to be the front runner, but Michael Caruso had a shocking start, Will Davison was in behind Lee Holdsworth they were all making contact with each other. Jason Bright and Nick Percat were pushed wide. Michael Caruso was way back in the pack after the drama at the start. Jamie Whincup made a very good move down the inside of Mark Winterbottom at turn 1.

On lap 2 both Craig Lowndes and Shane Van Gisbergen had a wheel locked going into turn 2. Meanwhile James Moffatt just pulled out from the car in front to get some fresh air to make the engine water and oil temperatures didn’t spike too much.

On lap 3 Rick Kelly was behind David Reynolds. Greg Rust was telling Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife that he been to see Barry Rogers at GRM Volvo, they told him that it was a water temperature light but there was no issue with it.

On lap 4 Fabain Coulthard was trying to get the big toe in behind James Courtney going into turn 1. Then James Moffatt a had big lockup on the left hand front corner. Three cars came in for their compulsory pit stop on lap 5 because that was when the pits opened after Shane Van Gisbergen completed his stop he was very racy against Mark Winterbottom.

In the middle of the race Mark Winterbottom had both Shane Van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes right behind him.

Towards the end of the race no one could catch Scott Mclaughlin or Jamie Whincup.

Race 1

Results for 6

1st – Scott McLaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing
2nd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
3rd – Fabain Coulthard – Dick Johnson racing Team Penske

In race 7 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position alongside him was Jamie Whincup of the 45 lap race. Scott McLaughlin got the jump and led the pack down to turn 1. Fabain Coulthard got a horrible start and pulled over to the left hand side of the track. Jamie Whincup tried to go around the outside of Scott McLaughlin, but it did not work. Also on the first lap Chaz Mosert got turned around the turn 4 hairpin by Garth Tander and Will Davison.

On lap 2 Tim Blanchard ran wide coming onto the Wayne Gardner pit straight, then James Moffatt was the first of the Volvos to pit. Mark Winterbottom was in front of Shane Van Gisbergen.

On lap 3 the replay of Chaz Mostert spining showed that both Garth Tander and Will Davison turned Chaz Mostert around.

On lap 4 Shane Van Gisbergen was the first of the 2 Red Bull cars to pit.

On lap 5 Jamie Whincup was closing the gap to the race leader Scott McLaughlin the front runners had not pitted at that time to keep track position, when the leaders did finally pit they still had plenty of gap to the cars back in the pack.

In the middle of the race Scott Pye and Michael Caruso were the first 2 cars to make their final stops. The next 3 cars to pits for the last time were James Moffatt, Lee Holdsworth and Nick Percat.

Towards the end of the race Scott McLaughlin was very hard to catch and also near the end Cameron Waters nearly had big moment, on entry to the pit straight were the right front tyre had delaminated big time and as a result the Safety Car was deployed the first one for the weekend. While the cars were behind the Safety Car Jason Bright had a problem with no power steering. The restart was on lap 39. Jamie Whincup tried to get a good run on Scott McLaughlin to be able to take the lead after the yellow flag was withdrawn. Jamie Whincup was throwing dirt to the other competitors behind him and he had dropped to 4th place.

Results for race 7.

1st – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar Racing
2nd – Mark Winterbottom – Rod Nash Racing
3rd – Scott Pye – Dick Johnson Racing Team Penske

 

I was lucky enough to get photos taken with Josh Kean from the Dunlop Series. Lee Holdsworth from the V8 Supercars. Charlie Schwerkolt team owner for Lee Holdsworth, Jonathon Webb team owner for Tekno Autosports, Greg Murphy pit reporter, Renee Gracie from the Dunlop Series. Chelsea Angelo from the Dunlop Series. Jamie Whincup, Shane Van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes at the autograph session on the Friday. and Chris Kean is the father of Josh Kean and also Paul Dumbrell.

The next event is Perth Supersprint May 6th – 8th 2016.

 

 

Pre Race Report, V8 Supercars

Phillip Island Pre Race Report 2016

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Hi to all you v8 Supercars fans around the world.

This weekend event 3 of the 2016 V8 Supercars it is also the 500th round in the Australian Touring Car history – V8 supercars championship. The WD 40 Phillip Island Supersprint.

Let’s take a look back at what happened in 2015.

Before the event started both the Pepsi Max Crew had to change the engine of Mark Winterbottom’s car and the Red Bull Racing Australia team had to bleed the brakes on Jamie Whincup’s car to make sure there was no air leaking from the brakes. Welcome back to James Courtney after his terrible accident at Eastern Creek… Meanwhile Paul Dumbrell is generously driving car 222 for Nick Percat…

Jamie Whincup started on pole position alongside him was Scott McLaughlin on lap 1 of 14 Craig Lowndes started from 3rd position and got the jump on everyone else and led the whole race. With his teammate behind him, there were 3 cars out in the weeds Chris Pither, Dale Wood and Rick Kelly. Tim Blanchard and David Wall ran wide on the exit of the last turn.

On lap 2 Shane Van Gisbergen turned around David Reynolds and got a 25 point penalty as a result, which ruined his chances of increasing his total points…

On lap 3 everybody was settling down into a race rhythm, no incidents on this lap.

On lap 4 Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin were just pulling away from the rest of the pack.

On lap 5 Jamie Whincup was helping Craig Lowndes to close the gap on Frosty for 2015 V8 Supercars championship.

The top 3 cars were just pulling away on lap 6.

In the middle of the race Tim Slade and Todd Kelly were battling for positions 10th and 11th. Rick Kelly locked a brake while battling with Lee Holdsworth approaching MG Corner.

Towards the end of the race Todd Kelly and Tim Slade touched which sent Todd Kelly out into the boonies, but in the end no one could catch the top 3 cars of Craig Lowndes, Jamie Wnincup and Scott Mclaughlin.

Results for race 31
1st – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
3rd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar Racing

In race 32 Scott Mclaughlin started on pole position alongside him was Jamie Whincup on lap 1 of 14. Jamie got the jump meaning he got a better launch and reaction time and his teammate Craig Lowndes had dropped down to 3rd. The 2 Holden Racing team Commodores of Garth Tander and James Courtney were side by side on approach to the Southern Loop turn 2.

Tim Slade was battling with Will Davison further back in the pack, but he was on the wrong side of the track for the hairpin at turn 4. Jason Bright had to get back the Nissan Altama driven by James Moffatt car 99, then Garth Tander passed Fabain Coulthard at turn 5, then he tried to do the same maneuver that Garth did 1 corner before. Towards the end of the first lap he and Cameron Waters made contact coming out of the 2nd last corner.

On lap 2 Todd Kelly, Dale Wood, Tim Blanchard and David Wall along with Paul Dumbrell were battling together near the back of the field James Moffatt gave Fabain Coulthard a little bump, just to remind him that he was there.

On lap 3 Scott Pye was battling with the two Nissans of Micheal Caruso and Rick Kelly, also on that same lap Jamie Whincup’s race start was under investigation.

On lap 4 Foxsports showed a replay of the start of the race and there was no one breach for him so that meant he could press on.
In the middle of the race Scott McLaughlin was chasing David Reynolds.

Towards the end of the race no one could catch the race leaders. That race win for Jamie Whincup took his career tally up to 95.

Results for race 32
1st – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing
3rd – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia

In race 33 Mark Winterbottom started on pole position alongside him was Craig Lowndes on lap 1 of 45 Mark Winterbottom got the jump off the start line from position 1. Scott Mclaughlin got swamped by the two Red Bull cars. Dale Wood and Lee Holdsworth on the exit of turn 2. Rick Kelly ran wide at turn 4, he and Cameron Waters made contact on approach to Lukie height and they both went off as a result. Then when Cameron Waters rejoined he was limping around the track due to the damage that was on his car.

On lap 2 Jamie Whincup was the first of the two Red Bull cars to pit so that Craig did not have to double stack. In the pits,
Jason Bright got a drive thru penalty for an unsafe pit release by the car controller at Brad Jones Racing. Scott Pye also came in as well for his pit stop, along with David Reynolds, James Courtney, Tim Blanchard and also Cameron Waters and David Wall.

On lap 3 Frosty had a lead of 1.3 seconds over Scott Pye. Meanwhile Craig Lowndes was trying to getup close and personal to Scott McLaughlin to be able to pass him. At this time Jamie Whincup was doing a pit stop and his car dropped off the jacks the car controller at Red Bull had hold him so that he didn’t end up being released into oncoming traffic, in the fast lane. Tim Slade and Fabain Coulthard were battling for positions 9th and 10th.

On lap 4 Garth Tander and Shane Van Gisbergen were battling till Shane had to come into the pit lane for the first of his two pit stops that took them into lap 5.

Todd Kelly and Will Davison joined him as well, when he rejoined James Moffatt tried to come up the inside at turn 2 which he did. But then Shane Van Gisbergen tried to go around the outside which didn’t work.

On lap 6 Garth Tander came in for his pit stop along with Paul Dumbrell and Chris Pither. Chris Pither had damage on the front of Superblack racing Ford Falcon car 111.

On lap 7 James Courtney left space for Shane Van Gisbergen to go up the inside at turn 4. Lee Holdsworth was not a very happy chappy about the fact that he was out of race 33.

In the middle of the race Greg Murphy was talking to Mark Dutton about the Red Bull cars tyre lifespan and why Craig Lowndes appeared had good tyre life and how Jamie Whincup didn’t.

Towards the end of the race no one could catch the top 3, Craig Lowndes, Scott Mclaughlin and Jamie Whincup. Tim Edwards was not very happy with the move that Jamie put on Frosty.

Results for race 33
1st – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia.
2nd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing.
3rd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia.

Congratulations to Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Scott Mclaughlin for a fantastic weekend, No one could take these guys out…

The next and final event is the Coates Hire Sydney 500 on the 4th – 6th of December 2015. There is only 71 points now between the Pepsi Max Crew and Red Bull Racing Australia in terms of the teams championship and in terms of the drivers’ championship there is only 179 points between Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes, there are now only 2 drivers left in contention.

Who will win the championship?

Lowndesy is now on 102 career wins. There are just 3 races left this season Red Bull took 60 point out of leader over the Phillip Island race weekend.
The commentators were Greg Rust and Neil Crompton, the pit reporters were Greg Murphy and Riana Crehan. 1 race meeting to go.

Post Race Report, V8 Supercars

Phillip Island 2015 Post Race Report

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Hi to all you V8 Supercars fans around the world.

Before the event started both the Pepsi Max Crew had to change the engine of Mark Winterbottom’s car and the Red Bull Racing Australia team had to bleed the brakes on Jamie Whincup’s car to make sure there was no air leaking from the brakes. Welcome back to James Courtney after his terrible accident at Eastern Creek… Meanwhile Paul Dumbrell is generously driving car 222 for Nick Percat…

Paul Dumbrell PI 2015
Jamie Whincup started on pole position alongside him was Scott McLaughlin on lap 1 of 14 Craig Lowndes started from 3rd position and got the jump on everyone else and led the whole race. With his teammate behind him, there were 3 cars out in the weeds Chris Pither, Dale Wood and Rick Kelly. Tim Blanchard and David Wall ran wide on the exit of the last turn.

On lap 2 Shane Van Gisbergen turned around David Reynolds and got a 25 point penalty as a result, which ruined his chances of increasing his total points…

On lap 3 everybody was settling down into a race rhythm, no incidents on this lap.

On lap 4 Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin were just pulling away from the rest of the pack.

On lap 5 Jamie Whincup was helping Craig Lowndes to close the gap on Frosty for 2015 V8 Supercars championship.

The top 3 cars were just pulling away on lap 6.

In the middle of the race Tim Slade and Todd Kelly were battling for positions 10th and 11th. Rick Kelly locked a brake while battling with Lee Holdsworth approaching MG Corner.

Towards the end of the race Todd Kelly and Tim Slade touched which sent Todd Kelly out into the boonies, but in the end no one could catch the top 3 cars of Craig Lowndes, Jamie Wnincup and Scott Mclaughlin.

Results for race 31
1st – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
3rd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar Racing

In race 32 Scott Mclaughlin started on pole position alongside him was Jamie Whincup on lap 1 of 14. Jamie got the jump meaning he got a better launch and reaction time and his teammate Craig Lowndes had dropped down to 3rd. The 2 Holden Racing team Commodores of Garth Tander and James Courtney were side by side on approach to the Southern Loop turn 2.

Tim Slade was battling with Will Davison further back in the pack, but he was on the wrong side of the track for the hairpin at turn 4. Jason Bright had to get back the Nissan Altama driven by James Moffatt car 99, then Garth Tander passed Fabain Coulthard at turn 5, then he tried to do the same maneuver that Garth did 1 corner before. Towards the end of the first lap he and Cameron Waters made contact coming out of the 2nd last corner.

On lap 2 Todd Kelly, Dale Wood, Tim Blanchard and David Wall along with Paul Dumbrell were battling together near the back of the field James Moffatt gave Fabain Coulthard a little bump, just to remind him that he was there.

On lap 3 Scott Pye was battling with the two Nissans of Micheal Caruso and Rick Kelly, also on that same lap Jamie Whincup’s race start was under investigation.

On lap 4 Foxsports showed a replay of the start of the race and there was no one breach for him so that meant he could press on.
In the middle of the race Scott McLaughlin was chasing David Reynolds.

Towards the end of the race no one could catch the race leaders. That race win for Jamie Whincup took his career tally up to 95.

Results for race 32
1st – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing
3rd – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia

In race 33 Mark Winterbottom started on pole position alongside him was Craig Lowndes on lap 1 of 45 Mark Winterbottom got the jump off the start line from position 1. Scott Mclaughlin got swamped by the two Red Bull cars. Dale Wood and Lee Holdsworth on the exit of turn 2. Rick Kelly ran wide at turn 4, he and Cameron Waters made contact on approach to Lukie height and they both went off as a result. Then when Cameron Waters rejoined he was limping around the track due to the damage that was on his car.

On lap 2 Jamie Whincup was the first of the two Red Bull cars to pit so that Craig did not have to double stack. In the pits,
Jason Bright got a drive thru penalty for an unsafe pit release by the car controller at Brad Jones Racing. Scott Pye also came in as well for his pit stop, along with David Reynolds, James Courtney, Tim Blanchard and also Cameron Waters and David Wall.

On lap 3 Frosty had a lead of 1.3 seconds over Scott Pye. Meanwhile Craig Lowndes was trying to getup close and personal to Scott McLaughlin to be able to pass him. At this time Jamie Whincup was doing a pit stop and his car dropped off the jacks the car controller at Red Bull had hold him so that he didn’t end up being released into oncoming traffic, in the fast lane. Tim Slade and Fabain Coulthard were battling for positions 9th and 10th.

On lap 4 Garth Tander and Shane Van Gisbergen were battling till Shane had to come into the pit lane for the first of his two pit stops that took them into lap 5.

Todd Kelly and Will Davison joined him as well, when he rejoined James Moffatt tried to come up the inside at turn 2 which he did. But then Shane Van Gisbergen tried to go around the outside which didn’t work.

On lap 6 Garth Tander came in for his pit stop along with Paul Dumbrell and Chris Pither. Chris Pither had damage on the front of Superblack racing Ford Falcon car 111.

On lap 7 James Courtney left space for Shane Van Gisbergen to go up the inside at turn 4. Lee Holdsworth was not a very happy chappy about the fact that he was out of race 33.

In the middle of the race Greg Murphy was talking to Mark Dutton about the Red Bull cars tyre lifespan and why Craig Lowndes appeared had good tyre life and how Jamie Whincup didn’t.

Towards the end of the race no one could catch the top 3, Craig Lowndes, Scott Mclaughlin and Jamie Whincup. Tim Edwards was not very happy with the move that Jamie put on Frosty.

Results for race 33
1st – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia.
2nd – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing.
3rd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia.

Congratulations to Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and Scott Mclaughlin for a fantastic weekend, No one could take these guys out…

The next and final event is the Coates Hire Sydney 500 on the 4th – 6th of December 2015. There is only 71 points now between the Pepsi Max Crew and Red Bull Racing Australia in terms of the teams championship and in terms of the drivers’ championship there is only 179 points between Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes, there are now only 2 drivers left in contention.

Who will win the championship?

Lowndesy is now on 102 career wins. There are just 3 races left this season Red Bull took 60 point out of leader over the Phillip Island race weekend.
The commentators were Greg Rust and Neil Crompton, the pit reporters were Greg Murphy and Riana Crehan. 1 race meeting to go.

Pre Race Report

Phillip Island 2015 Pre race

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Hi to all you V8 followers around the world.

William in the garage

This weekend 20th November – 22nd November is the WD 40 Phillip Island Supersprint.

Last year dad and I traveled down to Phillip Island for the big race… We had a V6 engine in the Kia we hired from Freedom Motors Australia… Not quite a V8, but it was fun to have a faster car than the one we left at home… We were privileged enough to be at the back of the garage from practice to the races and be able to watch it on the screens from there… As you can see from some of my photos, I am in my own V8 wheelchair and sometimes it’s difficult to see past people who get in front of me. Dad does his best to make sure I can see what is going on, just doesn’t always work… We also had fun meeting everyone and getting autographs and photos. I have quite a collection now… I am not there this year, but next year 2016, I will be back…

In 2014 the race was called Plus Fitness Phillip Island 400 and this year it’s the WD40 Phillip Island 400. Now we can have a look at the excitement of last year’s races.

In race 33 Scott McLaughlin started on pole position alongside him was Craig Lowndes. On lap 1 of 23 Scott McLaughlin led the field the down to turn 1, Craig Lowndes tried to go around the outside of him, but he had to pull the nose back out. One of Dick Johnson’s cars driven by Scott Pye locked up in the back ground. Jamie Whincup was following his teammate trying to find a way to get passed him.
On lap 2 the cars were settling down into a race pace. While the leaders were pulling away. Scott McLaughlin was keeping the pack in check and kept the lead. Mark Winterbottom was chasing down Jamie Whincup, David Reynolds tried to pass Jason Bright at turn 4, while Nick Percat, Will Davison and Tim Slade were trying to get around the outside to gain pace at the Hay shed.

On lap 3 Todd Kelly was battling with Scott Pye and Rick Kelly. Mark Winterbottom ran wide at turn 1, which allowed Jamie Whincup and Chaz Mostert to pass him. Mark Winterbottom then had to go for a pit stop to remove some grass from his front grill, to avoid an issue of overheating…

Meanwhile Scott McLaughlin was being hunted down by the Red Bull boys, Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes. Lee Holdsworth was doing battle with Shane Van Gisbergen…
But in the long run and as much as Craig Lowndes was putting pressure on him, Scott McLaughlin, led from start to finish.
Let’s watch the video…

Results for race 33
1st – Scott McLaughlin – Volvo Polstar Racing.
2nd – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia.
3rd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia.

In race 34 Jamie Whincup started on pole position alongside Mark Winterbottom on lap 1 of 23. Mark Winterbottom got the jump off the start and led for the first couple of turns, Scott McLaughlin and Nick Percat were side by side through turn 3. Will Davison tried to go around the outside of Chaz Mostert but then Scott McLaughlin had to fan the throttle and pull back in behind Michael Caruso.

On lap 2 David Reynolds was a bit sideways coming onto the front straight. But he managed to save the slide and keep in front of Rick Kelly at turn 2 on that same lap he managed to get passed him, and hold position. Rick Kelly was very happy with the move that David Reynolds put on him so tried to get his spot back at turn 4. But he was on the wrong side of the track to maintain the spot. James Courtney was following Will Davison and Nick Percat going side by side through the hayshed.

On lap 3 Todd Kelly and Garth Tander were fighting it out for the same spots but Garth Tander had to relinquish that spot to Todd Kelly. But Garth Tander wasn’t going to give it up easily going down to the MG corner, Todd Kelly gave Garth Tander a bit of a helping hand. Which nearly open the door for Michael Caruso and Scott McLaughlin to have a look.

On lap 4 Jack Perkins ran off the track at the last turn. And re-joined near turn 1, in-between turns 1 and 2 on the same lap Jamie Whincup passed Mark Winterbottom to the race lead. And Craig Lowndes was there in case the front 2 cars made a slight mistake then Craig Lowndes would have gone from 3rd to 1st Craig Lowndes got passed at turn 4 during the opening stages.

At the half way mark there was a battle going on between Will Davison Shane Van Gisbergen and Scott Pye. Lee Holdsworth and Tim Slade came together down the bottom of MG corner. Towards the end of the race Jamie Whincup was just cruising out in front.

Results for race 34

1st – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia.
2nd – Craig Lowndes – Red Bull Racing Australia.
3rd – Mark Winterbottom – Ford Performance racing.

In race 35 Jamie Whincup started on pole position alongside Scott McLaughlin. On lap 1 of 45, Jamie Whincup, Scott McLaughlin and Garth Tander were all trying to take the lead on the turn and Jamie Whincup and Garth Tander did the bump as Scott McLaughlin took the lead and Jamie Whincup went from first to third.

On lap 2, (while this doesn’t make sense to a novice) a number of cars came into the pit lane including Mark Winterbottom and Craig Lowndes to complete the first of their two compulsory pit stops.
On lap 3 the front runners had stayed out on track to avoid any double stacking behind the car that was still running around on the track until the 2nd team car had been serviced. Like for example Craig was the first of the 2 Red Bull Racing Australia cars to pit, so that Jamie Whincup didn’t have to stack behind car 888.

Results for race 35
1st – Scott Mclaughlin – Volvo Polstar racing.
2nd – Garth Tander – Holden Racing Team.
3rd – Mark Winterbottom – Ford Performance Racing.

Will Nick Percat get over his foot injury in time for this week’s races? Dean Canto will be replacing Ash Walsh at Erebus Motorsport, Karl Reindler is waiting on standby just in case Nick Percat is not fit enough to race this weekend at Phillip Island after he suffered an injury to his right foot, Chris Pither will be replacing Andre Heimgartner at Superblack racing in car 111. Will Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport need to get Karl Reindler to step up as a replacment for Nick Percat this weekend? This week is event 13. The King of the Island Craig Lowndes has 9 wins will he make it 10?

This is race week the 2nd last event for 2015. To join the conversation https://twitter.com/v8supercars during the live and Exclusively live on fox sports 5 channel 506 use the hashtag which is #v8sc that is the twitter page to join the conversation.
Both Foxsports and channel ten will have the Coverage this weekend that starts on Friday at 12pm. on Fox sports 5, Saturday 10am and Sunday it starts at 10am as well. The commentators 12 months ago were Neil Crompton and Mark Skaife. The pit reporters were Mark Beretta Mark Larkham and Riana Crehan, the commentators this weekend will be Greg Rust and Neil Crompton the pit reporters will be Greg Murphy and Riana Crehan.