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06 July 2010
IRWIN RACING AIMS TO MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AT TOWNSVILLE
Three weeks ago IRWIN Racing was literally on top of the V8 world when it won pole position for race 14 of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship in Darwin - at this weekend’s SUCROGEN Townsville 400 IRWIN Racing is hoping to maintain this form.
The surprise pole was supported with some superb driving by IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison. Davison led for almost half the race until an electrical issue prevented what was likely to be the team’s first podium of the year.
It was a big form reversal for a team that has endured several frustrating results in recent months.
With the IRWIN Ford ready to race, IRWIN Racing feels that the tide could be turning as it seeks to further build on the success of Darwin at this weekend’s Townsville event.
What IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison had to say:
“I expect us to have a good IRWIN Ford this weekend, we’re hoping to maintain our Darwin momentum. It might be a different track but we’re treating this weekend as a continuation of Darwin. Thanks to our performance at Darwin IRWIN Racing goes to Townsville feeling pretty confident. In both races at Townsville last year we were actually really fast, our pace was as good as (Jamie) Whincup’s. A really good result makes you believe in yourself and your own abilities. Starting from pole at Darwin definitely boosted IRWIN Racing’s morale and confidence, particularly mine. From the Saturday to the Sunday at Darwin we didn’t make many changes, there was only minor adjustment here and there. When you do the right change you can be right on the pace. I'll definitely be going into this weekend’s qualifying feeling a lot more relaxed. Townsville is a great event and it's one of my favourite tracks. The first half of the track is like a traditional street circuit while the second half is basically a permanent race track. It’s got great flow and there are plenty of overtaking opportunities. It's a nicely designed track and really enjoyable to drive.”
What IRWIN Engineer David Stuart had to say:
“Darwin was a good result for IRWIN Racing, but motor racing is all about momentum. We need to back up week after week. We know what we did to the IRWIN Ford at Hidden Valley (Darwin), we’ll make sure we copy those same settings at Townsville and try and achieve a similar result. Ultimately that’s what any team is aiming to achieve. IRWIN Racing got pole on Sunday and led the race for quite a while before we struck an electrical problem. We've identified that issue and taken steps to rectify that. IRWIN Racing was competitive in Townsville last year. Obviously we didn’t finish either of the races so we're really looking forward to having a good result this weekend. We know what happened at Townsville last year with our steering racks and why it happened. We identified and fixed the problem soon after last year’s race. Since then we've been working on our own SBR steering racks which we've been successfully running all year. Everyone at IRWIN Racing is looking forward to this weekend.”
V8 Supercar Championship Series Points Standings
After Race 14 of 26
1. James Courtney 1698 points
2. Jamie Whincup 1641
3. Craig Lowndes 1452
4. Shane Van Gisbergen 1412
5. Mark Winterbottom 1344
6. Garth Tander 1242
7. Rick Kelly 1226
8. Lee Holdsworth 1218
9. Michael Caruso 1139
10. Steven Johnson 1040
21. Alex Davison 609
SUCROGEN TOWNSVILLE 400 DETAILS:
Circuit: Townsville Street Circuit
Location: Townsville, Queensland
Circuit Length: 2.68 kilometres
Format: one 200km race on Saturday and a 200km race on Sunday
2009 Race 1 Pole: Lee Holdsworth
2009 Race 1 Winner: Jamie Whincup
2009 Race 2 Pole: Garth Tander
2009 Race 2 Winner: James Courtney
ALEX DAVISON CAREER STATISTICS
Event Starts: 38
Race Starts: 66
Best Finish: 2nd – Darwin, NT, 2009 - Sunday Race
Best Qualifying: 1st (Pole) – Darwin, NT, 2010 - Sunday Race
Townsville Statistics
Starts: 2
Best Finish: DNF - 2009 – Both Races
Best Qualifying: 18th – 2009 – Sunday Race
ON-TRACK SCHEDULE
Friday 9 July 2010
10.20am – 10.50am: Practice #1
11.30am – 12.00pm: Practice #2
12.40pm – 1.10pm: Practice #3
2.15pm – 2.45pm: Practice #4
Saturday 10 July 2010
10.50am – 11.10am: Qualifying
11.55am – 12.25pm: Top 10 Shootout
3.05pm - 5.15pm Race #15, 72-laps
Sunday 11 July 2010
11:00am – 11.20am: Qualifying
1.15pm – 3.15pm: Race #16, 72-laps
AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION SCHEDULE – CHANNEL 7
Times subject to change - please check local guides.
Melbourne
Saturday 10 July 2010
1:30pm - 5:30pm AEST
Sunday 11 July 2010
12:30pm - 3:00pm AEST
NEW ZEALAND TELEVISION SCHEDULE – TV3
Sunday 11 July 2010
12.00pm - 6:00pm
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IRWIN Racing's Alex Davison
IRWIN Racing
IRWIN Racing
IRWIN Racing Ford
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