White wins first Konica Minolta for MWR.

Matthew White and the MWR Motorsport team have won the Konica Minolta V8 Supercar support race at Bathurst today in the Gulf Western Oils/Jayco Falcon, the team's first victory since the Phillip Island win last year.

Engaged in an intense battle with Greg Ritter for most of the race, White kept the pressure on, causing the fellow Ford driver to make a mistake on the second to last lap, catapulting him into the lead. The talented Victorian eventually victoriously crossing the line.

"I knew that if I kept pushing Greg [Ritter] I would either get past him or force him into a mistake," claimed White after the race.

Starting from third on the grid, White jumped past Ritter to grab second place on the opening lap, where he continued to fend him off for 10 laps.

Although he lost a place, White's experience and ability allowed him to keep the pressure on until the 24th lap where he pounced when Ritter badly flat spotted his right front tyre.

"The Konica race here at Bathurst is a sprint from the start to finish, meaning everyone puts the car on the edge and the real strength is shown," stated White.

After making a good start, White's race was not without it's own adversity. From the 12th lap there were random puffs of smoke coming from the Gulf Western Oils/Jayco Falcon right rear tyre, which was causing concern in the MWR Motorsport camp.

"We had diff oil leaking on the right rear brake causing smoke to come from that wheel every time I braked," explained White. "It made the brakes very stiff, which made my job that little bit harder."

This race win has finished a challenging year for the MWR Motorsport team on a positive note, giving them a good platform to launch their attack on the 2005 season.

"The team has worked hard this year and this win has finished the season on a high note for us and our sponsors. I'd really like to thank Gulf Western Oils and Jayco for their great support, we could have not done it without them," concluded White.