Morris finishes 14th after throttle problems
13/4/2005 17:36 (Press Release) -
Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore driver Paul Morris finished 14th in today's opening race in the 2005 V8 Supercar Championship after being slowed by throttle problems.
The 37-year-old Gold Coast driver said the problem meant his VZ Commodore operated on about 80-percent engine power for most of the 78-lap race, held in fine and warm conditions.
Morris scored 57 championship points for his result in the opening race of the Clipsal 500, which will be completed with a second race over an identical distance tomorrow.
Defending champion Marcos Ambrose won today's race in a Pirtek Ford Falcon, followed by Russell Ingall in a Caltex Falcon. There were four Safety Car periods.
Morris began the race in 19th position and made compulsory pit-stops for fresh tyres and fuel in the early stages. He was slowed by a puncture to the left-front tyre on the lap before he made his first pit-stop. Toward the end he was temporarily forced off the track after contact with the BOC Gases Falcon of John Bowe.
PAUL MORRIS QUOTES: "The car was good, but after about 20 laps I was down on power – about 80-percent. It was something to do with the throttle mechanism. I first noticed it when (Craig) Lowndes came flying past me on the back straight.
"The brakes were better today which was good. We lost some time with the puncture, and then when (John) Bowe and I came together. I left plenty of room because I knew he was coming through, but there was contact.
"I went off and lost three of four places before I got going again. It was good to run the full distance and test the car under race conditions. We are learning more and more about the car and hopefully we can keep improving tomorrow."
RESULTS – RACE 1 (78 laps):
POS DRIVER CAR TIME
1. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Ford Falcon 2:06:56.434
2. Russell Ingall Caltex Ford Falcon 2:06:57.267
3. Craig Lowndes Betta Electrical Ford Falcon 2:06:59.430
4. Steve Johnson Westpoint Ford Falcon 2:07:07.528
5. Steven Richards Team Perkins Holden Commodore 2:07:08.207
6. Greg Murphy Super Cheap Auto Holden Commodore 2:07:09.424
7. Garth Tander HSV Dealer Team Holden Commodore 2:07:12.172
8. Todd Kelly Holden Racing Team Commodore 2:07:17.038
9. Glenn Seton Westpoint Ford Falcon 2:07:18.974
10. Jamie Whincup Tasman Holden Commodore 2:07:19.348
OTHER:
14. Paul Morris Sirromet Wines Holden Commodore 2:07:43.626
FASTEST LAP: Skaife 1-min 23.190-secs
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (after race 1): Ambrose 96, Ingall 93, Lowndes 90, Johnson 87, Steven Richards 84, Murphy 81, Tander 78, Todd Kelly 75, Seton 72, Whincup 69. Other: Morris 57
Release Date: 19/03/2005
Sirromet Wines - PMM
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