“We aren’t quite at the ‘nothing to lose’ point, but we can definitely afford to go out there at Winton and Darwin and have a fair-dinkum crack at winning. Winton is our test track and I’ve won the past two years at Darwin, so it’s a good chance for us to have a go.”
Fans will watch out for a good performance from the resurgent Prodrive-backed outfit Ford Performance Racing this weekend. FPR has posted considerably encouraging results in the previous two rounds and with new driver Mark Winterbottom sitting second on adjusted points – are looking good for a strong finish at their home testing venue.
I'm glad that Winton is back on the calendar as it is one of the most technical circuits in the series. The relatively short circuit length hides some 16 turns that you can gain or lose time with and I enjoy this challenge,” said Winterbottom.
“We have also improved our pace during each of our three test days there this season. Winton is also a special circuit for me personally as I had my first drive of a race car there in a Formula Ford and I won the Development Series round there in a Falcon in 2003.
Looking at our form this season, I believe that my best Winton experience is yet to come."
‘Frosty’s’ veteran teammate Jason Bright is a former round winner at Winton and is a highly regarded hard-charger in the V8 Supercar Championship, and after being overshadowed by his younger partner’s stunning performances of late, Bright will be aiming to reclaim the top perch at Broadmeadows.
" I enjoy racing at Winton - this is one of those circuits that when you have set up your car to work well there, it can be really good fun behind the wheel,” said Bright.
“I have had some great races there and if there is any circuit where we can make the most of our advantage it is Winton - as this is our home circuit. This won't make the racing much easier though, as we share the circuit as a testing venue with so many good teams.
“As we have shown this season, the team is more than capable of racing to the podium - so we head there aiming to win it."
The Toll HSV Dealer Team and Supercheap Auto Racing boast two drivers that could contend for victory this weekend. Both Holden outfits test at Winton and Rick Kelly almost won for the Toll HSVDT (then Kmart Racing) in 2004, before Supercheap’s McConville stole the limelight at the final turn for Garry Rogers Motorsport. In addition to employing the defending Winton king, SAR also engineered the car which helped Jason Bright to the podium that same day.
