Van Gisbergen into AGP Shoot-Out

Coming off a busy race schedule at last weekend’s Clipsal 500 SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen and IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison took to the track at Melbourne’s Albert Park Street Circuit in support of the Formula 1 at the Australian Grand Prix today.





In contrast to last year’s overwhelming heat, perfect weather surprised teams and spectators alike, as the rain that was forecast did not make an appearance ensuring relatively comfortable conditions for the drivers.




The 30 minute practice saw history repeat for Davison as his Ford FG Falcon suffered early engine dramas and was unable to complete the session after reports from the drivers cabin stating there was a miss fire and the car was experiencing massive oversteer.

Shane worked with his engineer, Paul Forgie, making adjustments throughout the session, before reporting he too was struggling with engine power as the #9 FG Falcon suffered complications resulting in Shane posting a quickest time only good enough for 19th position.

In the time available in between sessions the SBR team were forced to make an engine change to the IRWIN Racing Falcon, its second change in as many rounds. Car #4 left the SBR garage five minutes before the start of qualifying to take its place in the 30 minute session.

A red flag was deployed after Daniel Fiore’s car had to be towed from the sand trap costing teams’ valuable time in the session. With 6 minutes left it was touch and go to make the Shoot-Out as the track went green and the SBR cars had little opportunity to use the remaining laps to post a time worthy of the top ten.

The engine change proved to be step in the right direction for Davison as he improved his position finishing 21st, while van Gisbergen posted his fastest time in the dying moments of the session crossing the line 10th quickest.


Tomorrow the V8 Supercars will hit the track for the Top Ten Shoot –Out at 3:10pm, before Race 1 at 6:15pm AEDT.



Pos Car Team Driver Vehicle

1 888 Team Vodafone Craig Lowndes Ford Falcon FG
2 111 Wilson Security Racing Fabian Coulthard Ford Falcon FG
3 8 Team BOC Jason Richards Holden Commodore VE
4 22 Toll HRT Will Davison Holden Commodore VE
5 7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Todd Kelly Holden Commodore VE
6 17 Jim Beam Racing Steven Johnson Ford Falcon FG
7 10 Team Autobarn Paul Dumbrell Holden Commodore VE
8 2 Toll HRT Garth Tander Holden Commodore VE
9 5 FPR Mark Winterbottom Ford Falcon FG
10 9 SP Tools Racing Shane van Gisbergen Ford Falcon FG
21 4 IRWIN Racing Alex Davison Ford Falcon FG

Shame that its not televised here

On that note I must say that TV3 did listen to the people and this year they are showing all the races live on TV3 and C4 which is what we were all asking them to do last year.

Except not every one knew that the second part of the race was on C4 and didn't set their MiSky to record it...

Or when they did record the second part of race two on C4, it went way over time and the MiSky cut out at the 57th lap....

If You want to watch the race live mate You have to sit there and watch it live.

Life is so simple for those farming folk ain't it...

FNTMV8 wrote:Life is so simple for those farming folk ain't it...

Sure is..............I don't see why one would want to watch a live race after its happened........Townies I suppose.

That's the whole point of having MiSky, you should be able to watch what you want, when you want.

I don't have MySky but I manage to watch what I want when I want.....

Just like now I'm watching the rugby and soon I'll watch something else.

So how do you fast forward the adds then...

The adds (Like The Blues playing) give Me a chance to get online.

But if you have to fast forward the adds then it means that the program has already been on TV which would mean that I have still managed to see it (With Adds) before You have.

Fark, I can tell I ain't gonna win this one either. I think my keyboard would wear out first before I could convince you.

I will buy a MySky when I move, no use having it now, We cant use PPV because the broadband mucks it up but the new place has satellite broadband.

No use trying to make me feel better now, the damage has already been done...

Love You long time.

FNTMV8 wrote:Except not every one knew that the second part of the race was on C4 and didn't set their MiSky to record it...

Or when they did record the second part of race two on C4, it went way over time and the MiSky cut out at the 57th lap....

and yes I'm a Canterbury born Townie!

Well there seems to be a trend here with you townies...........Simply fix, Watch the live race live??

That true, but bit difficult when you have grandie-rugrats staying that are wanting attention and making noise. Much prefer to watch later in peace and quiet

You mean You were having a little nap and thought You would watch it later mate??

cannot confirm or deny!

Due to the Holden V Ford format of the Manufacturers Challenge at this year's Australian F1 GP meeting at Melbourne's Albert Park the SBR FG Ford Falcon’s did not line up on the grid for Race 2 where they finished in Friday's 15 lap sprint.

The grid for Race 2 was determined by placing the best finishing Ford and Holden at the head of the grid, all cars of that make lining up directly behind them on the same side, in order of finishing position for that manufacturer. Under this unique rule SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen started from 11th on the grid after finishing 8th and IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison started from 19th after finishing 14th in Race 1.

Fresh from a decent points haul at the Clipsal 500 this weekend’s format means drivers are not racing for the championship but rather the battle between manufactures.

The Albert Parklands circuit has always set the scene for exciting racing and today’s V8 Supercar feature was no exception, with the last five laps presenting plenty of action and passing in the mid field. SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen managed a risky maneuver that proved he had a helmet full of courage, when he overtook Whincup steering his FG Falcon right up onto the grass on the outside of turn 3. The brave move is seen as yet more confirmation of Shane's incredible car speed and control under pressure.



Shane van Gisbergen – Driver SP Tools Racing Car #9

“I wasn’t about to let Jamie pass me, I saw an open space and went for it, luckily my car was up to it!”

IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison maintained pace throughout the race as he fought his way back up to 16th after being put back five positions on the grid for a penalty that was enforced earlier today as a result of the coming together between Davison and Murphy in yesterday’s race.

The blue oval crossed the line in first once again as FPR’s Mark Winterbottom lead the race from the green light to the chequered flag. Over the three days so far Ford has won both races as well as pole position for the weekend proving the new FG’s certainly have it over the Holden’s at Albert Park.

It would have been nice to see the race to though I reckon.

Havign won all three races and leading 45 laps around the Albert Parklands Street Circuit last weekend Ford won the Manufacturers Challenge by a landslide at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

After Saturdays race IRIWN Racing’s Alex Davison lined up on the grid in 15th while his teammate, SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen started from 9th position for Race3.

On the first lap van Gisbergen was hot on the tail of Steven Johnson before passing him with ease to jump up to 8th position. Davison, caught up in the mid-field dropped back to 17th staying out of trouble in the initial stages of the race.

A safety car period was deployed on lap 14 when Jason Bright was forced to limp his SBR prepared BF Falcon back to the pits after hitting the wall at turn 15. The impact causing damage to his front left proving how challenging and unforgiving street circuits can be.

Alex Davison – Driver IRWIN Racing Car #4
“The most important thing this weekend for us was to come away with a straight car, which we managed so we are happy with the outcome of the weekend. We tried to use this round as a test session to iron out any problems with the IRWN FG Falcon before we move onto Hamilton.

I am confident we will do well in New Zealand. Clipsal and the AGP gave me time to settle into my new team and get back into a race season rhythm.”

Quickly becoming one of the most entertaining drivers in the field, Shane van Gisbergen received plenty of attention as he worked his way up to 7th racing Garth Tander and Steven Johnson once again for position.

Paul Forgie – Engineer Car #9 (In Car Radio)
“Love your work mate, keep it nice and smooth and concentrate on what you’re doing.”

After completing 14 laps the SP Tools FG Falcon had run out of tyres and van Gisbergen was unable to hold on, finishing in 8th place.

Shane van Gisbergen – Driver SP Tools Racing Car #9 (In Car Radio)
“Sorry about that guys, I made a couple of mistakes on the last lap and couldn’t keep him out. It was hard work.”

The Stone Brothers Racing team travelled back to the Gold Coast last night after two weeks away for the Clipsal 500 and Melbourne Grand Prix. The team will enjoy the next two days off, returning back to the Yatala workshop Wednesday to make the final preparations to the cars for the upcoming Hamilton Championship Round in April.