Mark Winterbottom has clinched a podium result in the final race of the 2010 Clipsal 500 around the Adelaide Street Circuit in South Australia today.
The 28 year-old’s speed aboard the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon during yesterday’s opening race was masked by an electrical issue, however, today was a different story for Winterbottom.
After qualifying inside the top three for the sixth consecutive race this morning Winterbottom ran near the front of the pack during the first half of the race and led the way at various points.
Unfortunately for Winterbottom, a slow entry to pit lane, and departure from the pit box, cost him ten spots during the middle section of the race. He fought back gallantly over the remaining laps and despite suffering from a fuel pressure issue, charged on to claim third during an exciting finish.
Winterbottom’s team-mate Steve Richards also showed some strong speed aboard the Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon across the weekend.
Richards qualified just outside the top ten for this afternoon’s 78-lap encounter and despite being caught behind the safety car when it was deployed, slowing his progress, on lap 56 he secured a solid 13th place finish.
Garth Tander claimed his second win of the weekend in today’s race ahead of James Courtney.
After six races in the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series Jamie Whincup, who suffered the wrath of the officials for a piece of loose bodywork in today’s race, leads the points standings on 771 points ahead of Winterbottom (714) and Courtney (696). Richards is 19th.
The next event on the schedule is the non-championship event at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25 – 28.
QUOTES FROM THE DRIVERS
Mark Winterbottom – #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
“It was good to fight through to the end and get another podium but I am a little bit disappointed because I made a few mistakes which probably cost me a shot at victory,” said Winterbottom.
“In the stop I just couldn’t get out of the box and lost a heap of spots but I was able to push on and remain in contention.
“I clipped the turn eight wall in lap 45 or 50 it done something to the car which hampered the fuel pressure which cost me some horsepower for the rest of the race, but I’ve got no-one to blame apart from myself.
“It would have been a great race for the fans to watch ad towards the end there it was really exciting to be a part of. The rain made it very interesting.
“I’m really looking forward to the year ahead and we’re still very much in contention for the championship.”
Steve Richards – Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon
“All we can do is be encouraged by where the car is at and the speed that it is showing right now,” said Richards.
“In the middle stint of today’s race I was as fast as anyone and I’m pretty happy with that.
“I really got ‘gazumped’ by the safety car as I got caught behind it coming out of the pits which cost me a few spots.
“In the last stint I had some really good tyres on and was looking forward to taking advantage of this but when the rain fell it meant everyone was sliding all over the place and I was wasn’t able to make the most of the extra grip.
“At one stage late in the race I hit the concrete that had broken up on the apex of turn eight and it lodged in the front of the car, so we’re pretty lucky that we got to the end.”
V8 Supercar Championship Series Points Standings
After Race 6 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 771
2. Mark Winterbottom 714
3. James Courtney 696
4. Shane Van Gisbergen 630
5. Lee Holdsworth 573
6. Craig Lowndes 552
7. Rick Kelly 530
8. Paul Dumbrell 489
9. Michael Caruso 462
10. Steven Johnson 455
19. Steven Richards 291
CLIPSAL 500
Event 3 of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series
RESULTS: Race Two (Race 6 of the 2010 Series)
1. #2 Garth Tander
2. #18 James Courtney
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom
4. #9 Shane van Gisbergen
5. #55 Paul Dumbrell
6. #15 Rick Kelly
7. #3 Tony D'Alberto
8. #17 Steven Johnson
9. #8 Jason Richards
10. #34 Michael Caruso
13. #6 Steve Richards
