"Today’s race was good, the car was better as the race went on. As the fuel load came out of the car the car got faster, so that’s something we need to work on for tomorrow. We need to make sure the car is as good at the start of the race," said Richards.
"We had a slightly slow pit stop compared to the others, and that’s when we got passed. Apart from that the race went really well. There won’t be anything rash changed on the car for tomorrow. It’s handling very well and doing everything it should so there’s no need to make any big changes.
"We want to try and get a really good start tomorrow. We got a great start today. If we get off the line well and into the first corner in a good position we can do some damage."
Rick Kelly added to the strong form of the HSV Dealer Team at Symmons Plains – a continuation of their 2004 performance – by finishing on the podium completing a Holden 1-2-3. Indeed Kelly was on the pace in the opening sprint – and managed to hold off Marcos Ambrose for the final place on the podium.
"It is a fantastic result for the team to get a first and third, but a third place makes you that little bit more hungry to get out there and move up those extra couple of spots," said Kelly, "Garth was first and he is from our team, so we know we can get a car capable of doing the job. We just need a few little tweaks to get up there."
Ambrose, performing in front of his home crowd, played a safe and consistent game – gradually make position and eventually holding strong to finish fourth, and slowly but surely climb closer to his teammate in the title fight.
"It was nice to peg a few more points back on Russell, but it was tough work," said Ambrose.
"The car was definitely a handful in places. We lacked a lot of grip in certain spots and it was pretty hard to get the power down.
"While saying that, it was pleasing to pick up five spots in the shootout and put ourselves towards the front for the start of the race, we have plenty of work to do overnight to ensure we pick up enough car speed to be competitive."
