Wilson on the pace in Bathurst qualifying
10/10/2004 7:22 (Press Release) -
and qualifying at Mt Panorama race circuit yesterday and again today. Thursday’s practice saw both cars being fine-tuned for handling the demanding 6.23 km circuit.
All four drivers gained valuable laps during the four practice sessions, not pushing the cars too hard, preferring to use the valuable time in making certain the cars suspensions set up was spot on for Sunday’s 1000km great race.
Radisich and Wilson in car #88 also practiced their skills in driver changes during the course of the days practice sessions.
Both driver pairings happy to settle into mid field times of 2:11 sec whist bedding in the brakes and assessing the circuits grip factor at various times during the day.
Qualifying saw Max Wilson in car #88 initially post some very competitive lap times before loosing a front wheel, the result of a fractured hub assembly, whilst traveling at high speed across Skyline.
A brilliant piece of driving by Wilson saw him manage to keep the car off the walls, regaining control and nursing the car back to Pit Lane on the remaining three wheels, cutting short his qualifying period, resulting in no further opportunity to post a time comparable to the leading contenders.
“It was pretty scary for a moment up there when the wheel came adrift from the car” – said Wilson.
“I don’t know how I managed to keep it off the walls, but thankfully I did, it’s just disappointing the car couldn’t be repaired in time for me to continue and post a quicker time than the recorded one that placed me 22nd”.
Dean Canto driving the second team entry, car #888 was consistent with his times, although failed to get a clear run to improve on his quickest lap which saw him finally finish in 17th spot.
“The car felt strong and was handling very nicely over the Mountain, I just couldn’t get a clear run to improve on my lap time” he said.
All four drivers are well prepared for the grueling 1000km great event this Sunday, where a record crowd is expected to be in attendance.
The redevelopment of the Mount Panorama Pit Lane complex has certainly got the thumbs up from both the teams and the spectators alike.
General comment throughout Pit Lane is that the new facilities have exceeded all expectations and is a credit to the Bathurst City Council in following through with such an ambitious project and having the main areas completed in such a short period of time for this years Great Race.
RACE PROGRAM
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9
Konica V8 Supercars Warm Up
Formula Fords Race #2
Historic Touring Cars Race e #3
V8 Supercars Practice #4
Konica V8 Supercars Race
Carrera Cup Race #2
V8 Supercars Top 10 Shoot Out
SUNDAY OCTOBER 10
V8 Supercars Warm Up
Carrera Cup Race #3
Pre-Race Activities
10.00am – V8 Supercars Race – Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 (161 laps)
Support Categories: Konica Minolta V8 Supercars, Australian Carrera Cup, Ford Racing Australian Formula Ford Series and Historic Touring Cars
On-Track Entertainment: Includes VB V8 Challenge, Victor Bray’s Top Door slammer, Metric Productions Extreme Motocross, Donut King Stunt Team, Driver’s Parade Lap, National Anthem
Television: Network Ten –Saturday 1200-1700, Sunday 0700-1700. Stay tuned to Network Ten news and Sport’s Tonight for daily updates. The race will also reach North America (Speed Channel), throughout Europe (MotorsTV), U.K. (Five), China (CCTV), Shanghai (Grandsports, Shanghai Television Station - LIVE) New Zealand (TV One - LIVE) South Africa (SABC), Argentina (TyC Sports) and Asia Pacific (ABCAP).
BATHURST FACTS
Record Attendance: 163,840 over 4 days in 2002
There has been a 500 mile or 1000 kilometre race at Mt Panorama every year since 1963 and since 1973 it has been for cars complying with the regulations for the Australian Touring Car Championship and since 1997 the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
NAME CHANGES
1963-65 Armstrong 500 (Miles)
1966-67 Gallaher 500
1968-1972 Hardie-Ferodo 500
1973-80 Hardie-Ferodo 1000 (Kilometres)
1981-87 James Hardie 1000
1988-95 Tooheys 1000
1996 AMP 1000
1997 Primus 1000 Classic (V8 Supercars)
1997-98 AMP 1000 kilometres (2-litre cars only)
1998-2000 FAI 1000 Classic (V8 Supercars)
2001 V8 Supercar 1000
2002-04 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000
MOUNT PANORAMA LAP RECORDS
Current Qualifying Record 2003 Greg Murphy Holden 2.08.3873
Current Lap Record 2003 Garth Tander Holden 2.09.5705
Outright Lap Record 2003 Greg Murphy Holden 2.08.3873
BATHURST RACE TIME RECORDS
Jim Richards/Mark Skaife Nissan GT-R 6:19:14.80 1991
2003 TIMES
Qualifying Lap: Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 2.08.3873
Pole Time: Greg Murphy Holden Commodore VY 2.06.8594
Race: Greg Murphy/Rick Kelly Holden Commodore VY 6:32:55.4044
MULTIPLE WINNERS
9 Peter Brock
7 Jim Richards
6 Larry Perkins
4 Allan Moffat, Mark Skaife
3 Dick Johnson, Greg Murphy
2 Harry Firth, John Bowe, Tony Longhurst, Bob Jane, Russell Ingall, John Goss, Allan Grice, Steven Richards
MOST WINS BY A MANUFACTURER
23 Holden
14 Ford
2 Nissan
MOST STARTS
32 Jim Richards
31 Peter Brock
28 Colin Bond
27 Bruce Stewart, Bob Holden
26 Graham Moore, Dick Johnson, Allan Grice, Larry Perkins
Kevin Bartlett, Terry Finnigan
23 Ray Gulson, Don Smith
22 Bo Seton, Gary Willmington
21 Geoff Leeds, Tony Longhurst
20 Charlie O’Brien, Glenn Seton
MOST FINISHES
24 Peter Brock
23 Jim Richards, Larry Perkins
21 Ray Gulson
19 Don Smith
17 Bruce Stewart, Colin Bond, Bob Holden
16 Kevin Bartlett
15 Bo Seton
14 Allan Grice
13 Don Holland
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