“If there was a track to go back to as defending round champion – other than Bathurst, of course – for me it could not be more fitting than Winton,” McConville said.
“Not only did I win my first V8 Supercar round there, it is also the track where my career began, racing Formula Vees in the late 1980s and I have also been a member of the Benalla Auto Club since I was 15.
“A lot has changed in the two years since we last raced at Winton and it’s just not possible to predict with any confidence that you’re going to win, the bar has been raised and the competition has become too tough.
“It’s not going to be easy and I certainly don’t expect anyone to leave the door wide open for me with just two corners to go again – that sort of opportunity rarely comes along, if at all in one’s life!”
Despite being aggravated about his race loss just two corners from this finish in 2004, Kelly is hoping to have his vengeance this weekend.
“We had the car to win it last time, but I let Cameron through a few corners from the end, which is probably a silly way to lose the race,” said Kelly.
“But you learn from these things. And the fact that both our cars ran in the top three just shows how strong we are at Winton. Our test session at Winton was great – we learned a lot of good things and changed a few things.
“Even though the track grip wasn’t there at some stages of the day, we still had a reasonable package and did some good times.”
Whilst the Holden contingent are firm favourites to deliver ‘The General’ a third consecutive round win, the likes of Russell Ingall, Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and the two aforementioned Ford Performance Racing drivers will do their utmost to square the ledger at the fourth V8 Supercar round. However all eyes will be watching to see if Mark Skaife can secure a record thirty-eight Australian Touring Car wins. 1.5 hours of practice will be offered on Friday before Qualifying and the first race on Saturday play curtain-raiser to the final two heats of the weekend on Sunday.
2004 Winton Raceway 300 - Outright Results
Pole:
Craig Baird Team Kiwi Racing, VY Commodore
1st:
Cameron McConville Team Repco Valvoline Cummins, VY Commodore
2nd:
Rick Kelly Kmart Racing, VY Commodore
3rd:
Jason Bright PWR Racing, VY Commodore
Fastest Lap:
Mark Skaife Holden Racing Team, VY Commodore
1m:24.7913secs
