Hi to all you v8 Supercars fans around the world.
For those of you who missed the non-championship event at Albert Park in Victoria, here is what happened.
In race 1, Jamie Whincup started on pole position alongside him was Mark Winterbottom. On lap 1 of 12 Frosty got a nudge from the Shane Van Gisbergen before he moved up into 2nd behind Jamie Whincup his teammate. Then Fabain Coulthard spun the champ at turn 11. Then he went to the very back of the pack.
On lap 2 Todd Kelly had an engine failure and had to pull over to the right hand side of the racetrack to the Formula 1 pit exit. Onto the grass. Chaz Mostert and Fabain Coulthard were battling for 3rd there was a safety car on that lap to remove Todd’s car. Jason Bright also pulled over between turn 3 and 4. As a result of the opening lap spin. Brad Jones would not be happy to see that. The restart was on lap 5 in the middle of the race Jamie Whincup and Shane Van Gisbergen were still running up the front of the field as 1 & 2. Then Jamie Whincup locks a left front on car 88. Which allowed Shane to take the race lead. Towards the end of the race no one could catch Shane Van Gisbergen.
Results for race 1
1st – Shane Van Gisbergen – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
3rd – Fabain Coulthard – Dick Johnson Racing team Penske
In race 2, Shane Van Gisbergen started on pole position, alongside him was Jamie Whincup, on lap 1 of 12 Garth Tander made a great start he went around Fabain Coulthard. Andre Heimgartner and Tim Blanchard ran wide at turn 1. Lee Holdsworth made contact with Dale Wood around the back of the Albert Park race track.
The battle up the front was for the race lead. Jamie Whincup was right behind his teammate Shane Van Gisbergen on track, in case he made a mistake.
On lap 2 Scott Pye locked a brake on the left front corner. The left front tyre on Scott Pye car would have had a massive flat spot on it or a 50 cent piece.
On lap 3 the race leaders up front were still dicing for the lead of the race. The last 2 laps in a row in that race the fastest car and Driver on the track was Craig Lowndes running in 5th place at the time.
On lap 4 Chaz Mosert was putting pressure onto the back of Jamie Whincup the 6 times V8 Supercars Champion.
On lap 5 the only car out of the front five that was not getting held up was Shane Van Gisbergen.
In the middle of the race the rain shower caught Chaz Mostert out, which meant he had moved from 3rd spot down to 5th place. Towards the end of the race no one could catch the three triple 8 cars.
Results for race 2
1st – Shane Van Gisbergen – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Craig Lowndes – Team Vortex
3rd – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
In race 3 Shane Van Gisbergen started on pole position alongside was Craig Lowndes for the 12 lap race. Garth Tander made another great start but again Shane Van Gisbergen led the field into turn 1. Shane Van Gisbergen had contact with Craig Lowndes (Roland Dane would not have been happy with that at all) but it was a red bull 1 and 2 again at the start of race 3. Shane Van Gisbergen led the opening lap, but then on lap 2 Jamie Whincup took over and then from there was never headed. As a result of the contact Shane Van Gisbergen got a damaged headlight on the right hand side. It was a six way battle for the race lead in race 3 of the V8 Supercars at Albert Park.
On lap 3 the rain started falling but the cars didn’t have to pit for wets.
On lap 4 Chaz Mosert lent on Fabain Coulthard, both the Fords wanted the same position at the final two turns.
On lap 4 the rain was still coming down but the drivers were being extra careful to not run wide or to run off the race track (makes for an exciting race).
On lap 5 Jamie Whincup still had control of the race.
On lap 6 the cars further back in the pack were battling which allowed the front runners to pull away.
In the middle of the race Shane Van Gisbergen and Craig Lowndes were battling for 2nd and 3rd, towards the end of race 3 no one could catch Jamie Whincup.
Results for race 3
1st – Jamie Whincup – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Shane Van Gisbergen – Red Bull Racing Australia
3rd – Craig Lowndes – Team Vortex
In race 4 Shane Van Gisbergen started on pole position alongside him was Jamie Whincup for the 12 lap race.
Shane Van Gisbergen got the jump, Chris Pither ran wide at turn 1 and 2. Fabain Coulthard was putting pressure on the 3 triple 8 cars.
On lap 2 the three triple 8 cars plus the DJR Team Penske was in the mix as well.
On lap 3 Jamie Whincup was putting pressure on Craig Lowndes. Garth Tander got into the rear quarter of the Supercheap Auto Ford. Jamie Whincup had a DNF in race 4 due to no drive.
On lap 4 Craig Lowndes was putting pressure on Fabain Coulthard and Fabain was putting pressure on Shane Van Gisbergen.
In the middle of the race Shane Van Gisbergen was on target to win the weekend.
(Pity this was not a Championship round as the 888 guys would have been ecstatic.)
Towards the end of Shane Van Gisbergen held on and took the checkered flag.
The commentators were Richard Crail and Jack Perkins. And the pit reporter was Mark Larkham.
Results for race 4.
1st – Shane van Gisbergen – Red Bull Racing Australia
2nd – Fabain Coulthard – Team Penske DJR
3rd – Craig Lowndes – Team Vortex