Speedcafe.com Race Guide - Tasmania Challenge

Tasmania Challenge, March 30-April 1

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Mark Winterbottom and Jamie Whincup duked it out at Symmons Plains last year, with the TeamVodafone driver eventually coming out on top.

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Introduction

SYMMONS EDITOR: Stefan Bartholomaeus DESIGN: Kirstie Fuentes SALES/MARKETING: Leisa Emberson IMAGES: Alexandre Premat Brad Jones Racing Ford Performance Racing Garry Rogers Motorsport Holden Motorsport Michael Patrizi Stone Brothers Racing Taz Douglas TeamVodafone Tony D’Alberto Racing VIP Petfoods Racing Wilson Security Racing PARTNERS: Armor All, Bisley, Castrol EDGE, IRWIN Tools, Lucky 7, Money Choice, Norton 360, Orrcon Steel, Pirtek, Toshiba, Vodafone,

Back to the front Predicting where the Tasmania Challenge will be slotted into the V8 Supercars Championship calendar is rarely an easy task.

Just three championship events have been held since the V8 Supercars last raced at the Symmons Plains circuit, continuing a tradition of date shuffling for the event.

Having had to endure a lengthy and rather public negotiation process between V8 Supercars and the government about whether the category would return at all in 2012, perhaps it’s just reward for the local fans that the event has come around again so soon.

It’s a good thing that the two parties have been able to make the economics work, because Symmons Plains brings its own unique charm to the calendar.

It may not have the glamour of the street races, but it’s a cracking circuit to watch a V8 Supercar strut its stuff, particularly through the Turn 1-2 complex.

Racing wise, the short and sharp nature of Symmons almost makes it our version of NASCAR’s Bristol ‘bullring’.

The racing is super tight, and the possibility of going a lap down in the pitstop cycle is something that teams always have to factor in.

This weekend’s mixed tyre format will further increase the frequency of cars popping on and off the lead lap, and as always with the twin-compound races, Safety Car timing will be critical.

With Ford Performance Racing throwing down a major challenge to TeamVodafone across the opening two events of 2012, it’s set to be a cracking weekend of racing.

Green means go!

Stefan Bartholomaeus Journalist, Speedcafe.com Editor, Speedcafe Race Guides

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iCaramber This incident involving James Courtney, Jamie Whincup, Karl Reindler, David Wall, Taz Douglas and Russell Ingall at the Australian Grand Prix meeting required Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport’s Commodore to head from Albert Park to Symmons Plains via Triple Eight’s Brisbane workshop.

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Cover Story

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FPR heads to Symmons Plains as the team to beat

Territory Ford Performance Racing finds itself in an unfamiliar position heading into the second round of the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship at Symmons Plains.

Having scored a one-two finish in Sunday’s second leg of the Clipsal 500, Will Davison and Mark Winterbottom arrive in Tasmania as arguably the pair to beat.

The factory Ford squad has not before left the opening round at the head of the points standings, and recently underlined its Adelaide performance with an overall victory in the non-points scoring Australian Grand Prix event at Albert Park.

Speedcafe.com’s Grant Rowley discussed the current feeling within the team with its principal Tim Edwards.

SPEEDCAFE: Ford Performance Racing is traditionally very strong in Tasmania. This year, you head there on top of the tables as the form team. Does that bring an extra level of pressure of this weekend?

TIM EDWARDS: It doesn’t bring any more pressure than we put on ourselves compared to any other round of the championship. Tassie has been a good stomping ground for us over the years, but the challenge with Symmons Plains is that it’s such a short lap, the whole field is so close, and you’ve only got to have the smallest thing go wrong in any area and it can have a big impact.

We’re going into Tassie what we’ve done in the last two events – doing all of the little things as best we can. We’re not going there thinking there’s more pressure because we’re at the head of the table.

We’re not focused on that at all. We’re going there to do the best job we can and do the little things right.

SPEEDCAFE: Given that you’ve stamped your claim in the first two events of 2012, was it those little things in years gone by which have let the team down?

EDWARDS: You have to remember that championship is just so incredibly close.

No one is doing a bad job. In every area, you are only looking for the little things.

There’s no ‘silver bullet.’ There’s no moment when you sit back and say ‘there it is, that one thing that has turned us around’. It’s a combination of a bunch of little things.

For example, our pit crew is fitter than it has ever been. They are training four days a week, 6am in the morning, and they are doing that on their own accord. They are fitter than they’ve ever been, they’ve done more pit stop practice than they’ve done in the past.

There’s no one thing we’re doing better, it’s just a whole host of things.

SPEEDCAFE: If these results continue, you may end up in a situation where you have two drivers fighting for the title – not a bad

position to be in. Is that something you take race-by-race or do you have a plan?

EDWARDS: I couldn’t even comment on that at this stage. There’s a long way to go in the championship. It would be a wonderful position to be in, but that’s pie in the sky stuff.

We’re just focussed on everyone doing their job right – and that includes the drivers. If we come out at the race weekend and they’re both fighting for the race win, then that’s fantastic. If one finishes first and one second, then that’s the best possible scenario. The only better scenario would be that we finish first, second and third. And to be honest, I don’t mind which order they are in! That is eutopia, but we’re not quite there yet.

SPEEDCAFE: While you say you’re not getting too far ahead of yourself, it has been a great start to the year. What’s the vibe like within the team?

EDWARDS: Everybody is pushing as hard as they can, but to be honest, that is no different to where we were at 12 months ago. Now, I guess everyone has a little extra spring in their step.

We can’t rest on our laurels. Everyone needs to keep working hard. Nothing changes there. Are we more focused? I don’t think so.

We are probably just a bit older and wiser 12 months on with the stability of the same

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Cover Story

group of people. The have the same group of guys working together that we didn’t have 12 months ago. Stability is a big thing, but winning a championship is still a million miles away ...

SPEEDCAFE: David Reynolds, driving The Bottle-O Racing Falcon entry, has adapted quickly and seems comfortable in his new environment. Is it a matter of ‘if’ or ‘when’ he’ll be challenging the likes of Frosty and Davo?

EDWARDS: It’s a matter of when, and our challenge is to keep him calm. He is seeing his team-mates on the podium, he wants to be there with them. He might finish sixth and he’s bitterly disappointed.

We’ve had to coach him a bit, telling him to learn the car and learn the team. It will eventually come to him.

He is doing a fantastic job at the moment, and our biggest challenge is to keep him calm. I’d say he’s impatient. We need to curb his enthusiasm, make sure he’s

doing a good job and not try to overdrive the car – just let it grow on him. He needs to recognise that he’s beating our expectations.

SPEEDCAFE: And your Dunlop Series driver Chaz Mostert isn’t letting the team down either. He is undefeated so far ...

EDWARDS: It’s the same mentality as our Championship campaign. Chaz won both races in Adelaide by over eight seconds, but he has his feet on the ground – he realises that every round is not going to be like that.

He is a well-grounded individual. At the moment, he’s just concentrating on his apprenticeship as a mechanic.

SPEEDCAFE: So, what’s your long-term plan for him?

EDWARDS: Our plan is that he’ll complete his qualifications with us and continue to drive for us ...

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Races 1 - Clipsal 500 I Showdown

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Circuit Info

Symmons Plains International Raceway

Circuit Details:

V8 Supercars Qualifying Lap Record:

Location: Symmons Plains, Launceston, TAS Length: 2.4-kilometres Direction: Anti-clockwise Average speed: 167km/h Maximum speed: 270km/h Fastest Point: Back Straight Slowest Point: Turn 4 Hairpin

Qualifying 2011 Paul Dumbrell (Ford Falcon FG), 51.3062s (2011)

Circuit Description: The shortest on the V8 Supercars calendar, the Symmons Plains circuit provides two strong passing opportunities (Turn 4 and Turn 6), in addition to a complex opening sequence of corners (Turns 1-2) that often sees even Australia’s best drivers come unstuck. The surface is relatively smooth and high-grip, while strong braking and power-down characteristics are rewarded.

The championship returns to Symmons Plains less than five months after its last visit, with the Tasmanian event having previously held the position as the 12th event on the calendar. This year marks the 40th occasion in which the Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercars Championship visits Symmons Plains Raceway. The track hosted the championship for 30 consecutive years prior to a four year absence beginning in 2000.

V8 Supercars Race Lap Record:

Race 2009 Rick Kelly (Holden Commodore VE), 51.4713s (2009)

Event Format: Friday: Practice: 1 x 30 min (lower 50% of championship only) Practice: 2 x 20 min practice with 10 minute break in between (all drivers) Saturday: Practice: 1 x 30 min, Qualifying: 1 x 20 min, Race: 1 x 140km Sunday: Practice: 1 x 30 min, Qualifying: 1 x 20 min, Race: 1 x 200km

Tyre Format: Two sets of hard and four sets of soft compound tyres will be allocated to each car for the weekend. Drivers will have to use at least one set of each compound during the two races, and will be free to use either during the two qualifying sessions. Pre-marked hard tyres may also be used across the five practice sessions.

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Tech Preview

TECH PREVIEW with

CAMPBELL LITTLE

The hard tyre will really throw a curveball into the Symmons Plains event this year.

When we were here late last season we only had the soft tyres to think about, but this year we’ll be switching between the two which obviously has a big affect on strategy.

The 2012 mixed tyre format is quite different to what we’ve seen in the past, in that we’ll actually have quite a few softs to play with (four sets of softs, in addition to two sets of hards, to be spread across qualifying and racing).

of the first race will be on hards, and the fun part will be choosing whether that’s going to be the first stint or the second stint.

Each team’s decision on that will be determined not only by their thoughts on the risk of Safety Cars, but also by their qualifying position. If you’re at the front then you risk being turned around starting on the hards, but if you’re a bit further back in the field then you’ve got to look at the potential for your softs to be wasted while you work your way through the traffic.

The first race will be nine laps longer than last year (140km instead of 120km), which will mean 26 or 27 laps on hards at either end of the race. Then for Sunday’s 200km race we’ll see two stints on softs and Something else to consider at Symmons Plains as well is the fact that, if we get to the point where one on hards. there’s someone on softs and someone on hards for the first 20-odd laps, then we will see people The fuel windows mean that approximately a third

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getting lapped. That has the potential to cause mass confusion if a Safety Car is called at the wrong moment, which is something we’ve seen there in the past.

Really, the pit windows in both races will come down to a combination whose got the best tyre degradation and who can stop the earliest (and still make it home on fuel). So it’s going to be about who’s the bravest in those two areas, as well as minimising how much you get held up in lapped traffic throughout the race.

Qualifying The soft tyre allocation means we can have two green tyre runs in each qualifying session, but we rarely see tracks get slower as a qualifying session goes on, so as ever the second set should be the important one.

We saw in Adelaide that getting a clear lap is a bit of a circus, and it really comes down to chance. It’s normally worse in Tassie than in Adelaide, so we’ll wait and see if V8 Supercars steps in with any last minute instructions for the drivers.

The new practice format (having sessions in the morning prior to qualifying) might have some effect on how qualifying plays out. Normally we see a lot of people going out in qualifying with new brakes and various bits and pieces, and in that first run doing three or four laps to get gearbox temp, diff temp, and brake temp up. That meant the first run was only ever really a banker in the past. We’ll see if that changes this weekend.

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Did you know

DID YOU

KNOW

?

Will Davison currently leads the V8 Supercars Championship for the first time in his career.

The Tradingpost FPR Ford driver holds a slender 18-point margin to reigning champion Jamie Whincup after his victory at the Clipsal 500 earlier this month.

While Whincup has won seven races in his career at Symmons Plains, Davison is yet to score his first. His best result remains second on Sunday in 2009 (to Whincup) and second on Sunday last year (also to Whincup).

Davison was, however, the top points scoring driver in the pair of races in 2009.

IRWIN Racing’s Lee Holdsworth and Jack Daniel’s Racing’s Rick Kelly will both rack up milestones this weekend.

Saturday’s race will mark Holdsworth’s 200th and Kelly’s 300th V8 Supercars Championship race start.

Holdsworth made his debut with Smiths Trucks Racing in the 2004 Sandown 500, and has two victories (Oran Park 2007 and Sydney Olympic Park 2010) to his name.

Kelly’s debut had come at the same venue three years earlier with the Holden Young Lions. The now 29-year-old has since clocked up 12 race wins, including the 2003 and 2004 Bathurst 1000s.

Holdsworth and Kelly sit sixth and ninth respectively in the 2012 points standings after the opening event in Adelaide.

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Did you know

Steven Johnson’s 10th place finish in Race 1 of the 2012 Clipsal 500 was his first top 10 race result since Queensland Raceway last August.

The second-generation driver had a miserable second half of 2011, failing to qualify or finish in the top 10 from Phillip Island onwards. Earlier in the year he’d had two podium results and sat as high as fifth in points.

Johnson is the best of the four drivers run by Dick Johnson Racing, 11th in the championship after the Clipsal 500. Steve Owen is 16th, Dean Fiore 17th and James Moffat 23rd.

While Symmons Plains is a long-standing venue in the history of the ATCC/V8SC, there is even more Australian Touring Car Championship history a short drive down the road from the circuit at Longford.

The site of the single race that determined the 1962 ATCC, Longford hosted some of the world’s most famous drivers over its life span from 1953 to 1968, with Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Jim Clark and Graham Hill among them.

It’s a shade over 50 years ago that Longford hosted the ATCC on March 3, 1962. Bob Jane won in his Jaguar 3.8, leading home Bill Pitt and Bill Burns in their 3.4-litre Jaguars in a 15-lap race around the 7.245 kilometre circuit.

Most of the original track is now overgrown or inaccessible to the public, but importantly, the famous Flying Mile remains and was the scene last weekend of the Longford Revival Festival.

Former V8 Supercars Champion James Courtney sits last in the points after the Clipsal 500, and has a poor record at Symmons Plains.

The #22 Holden Racing Team pilot had his best ever race result in Tasmania – fifth – back in the opening race of 2006. That was his very first race at the circuit.

In the nine races held from 2008 onwards at Symmons Plains, Courtney had only had two top 10 finishes (which were both 10th places) in 2008 and on Saturday in 2011.

Partially explaining his results, Courtney hasn’t qualified in the top 10 in Tasmania since 2009.

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I The Bag Man

THE BAGMAN

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Triple Eight

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

In all the buzz surrounding Ford Performance Racing’s recent victories, it’s easy to overlook the fact that Jamie Whincup was the real pace-setter in Adelaide.

The Saturday race at the Clipsal 500 was one of the most convincing displays ever seen from the three-time champion, who also won both races here last year. It’s rarely a good idea to bet against Whincup, no matter what the opposition’s form is like.

Poor qualifying destroyed Craig Lowndes’ 2011 Symmons event, but the veteran was in fine one-lap form in Adelaide, and should push Whincup hard this weekend on a circuit he enjoys.

Base: Banyo, Queensland Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Triple Eight Race Engineering Engines: KRE Team principal: Roland Dane

#1 Jamie Whincup

Team: TeamVodafone Born: 6 February 1983 V8SC debut: Queensland, 2002 Starts: 247 Wins: 54 Career Highlights: 2008, 2009 & 2011 V8 Supercars Champion, 1st 2006, 2007 & 2008 Bathurst 1000, 2002 Australian Formula Ford Champion

#888 Craig Lowndes Team: TeamVodafone Born: 21 June 1974 V8SC debut: Calder Park, 1996 Starts: 443 Wins: 82 Career Highlights: 1996, 1998 & 1999 V8 Supercars Champion, 1st 1996, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010 Bathurst 1000, 1993 Australian Formula Ford Champion

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Walkinshaw Racing THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Little seems to have changed over the off-season at the Holden Racing Team, with Garth Tander continuing to put his team-mate in the shade during the first two events of 2012.

Mechanical failure cost Courtney dearly in Adelaide, while a minor misjudgement at the Grand Prix triggered a major accident and a barrage of criticism of the 2010 champion’s driving.

Courtney’s record at Symmons Plains is poor, and qualifying inside the top 10 will be a significant achievement.

Conversely, Tander’s driving style suits Symmons to a tee, and the #2 Commodore could well prove the only one able to hang onto the back of the TeamVodafone/FPR battle.

Base: Clayton, Victoria Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Walkinshaw Racing Engines: Walkinshaw Racing Team principal: Steve Hallam

#2 Garth Tander

Team: Toll Holden Racing Team Born: 31 March 1977 V8SC debut: Phillip Island, 1998 Starts: 412 Wins: 50 Career Highlights: 2007 V8 Supercars Champion, 1st 2000, 2009 & 2011 Bathurst 1000, 1997 Australian Formula Ford Champion

#22 James Courtney Team: Toll Holden Racing Team Born: 29 June 1980 V8SC debut: Sandown, 2005 Starts: 191 Wins: 9 Career Highlights: 2010 V8 Supercars Champion, 2001 British Formula Ford Champion, 2002 Jaguar F1 test driver, 2000 British Formula Ford Champion

#66 Russell Ingall Team: Supercheap Auto Racing Born: 24 February 1964 V8SC debut: Eastern Creek, 1996 Starts: 477 Wins: 27 Career Highlights: 2005 V8 Supercars Champion, 1st 1995 & 1997 Bathurst 1000,1st 1998 Sandown 500 & 1999 Queensland 500, 1993 British Formula Ford Champion

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Stone Brothers Racing Base: Yatla, Queensland Car: Ford Falcon FG Chassis: Stone Brothers Racing Engines: Stone Brothers Racing Team principal: Ross Stone

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Stone Brothers Racing’s 2012 season got off to a quiet start in Adelaide, with all three of its cars proving unable to match the outright speed, or fuel consumption, of the leading contenders.

All three drivers scored solid points in Adelaide regardless, with Lee Holdsworth impressively taking a top five on debut.

Shane van Gisbergen took a race win at Albert Park, but a repeat performance will be a tough ask going on last year’s Symmons form. That said, all three drivers are capable of sneaking into the top five.

#4 Lee Holdsworth Team: IRWIN Racing Born: 2 February 1983.

V8SC debut: Sandown, 2004 Starts: 199 Wins: 2 Career Highlights: 1st 2010 V8 Supercars Race 26 (Sydney), 1st 2007 V8 Supercars Round 8 (Oran Park), 3rd 2009 Bathurst 1000, 7th 2010 V8 Supercars Championship

#9 Shane van Gisbergen Team: SP Tools Racing Born: 9 May 1989 V8SC deubt: Oran Park, 2007 Starts: 136 Wins: 2 Career Highlights: 1st 2011 ITM400 Hamilton (Race 6), 1st 2011 Skycity Triple Crown (Race 12), 2005/06 NZ FFord Champion, 2nd 2006/07 Toyota Racing Series

#47 Tim Slade Team: Lucky 7 Racing Born: 3 August 1985 V8SC debut: Adelaide, 2009 Starts: 81 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2005 Australian Formula Ford Championship, 7th 2008 V8 Supercars Development Series, 9th 2011 V8 Supercars Championship

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Ford Performance Racing

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Ford Performance Racing is currently in the form of its life, with Will Davison leading the team to a one-two result at the Clipsal 500, and Mark Winterbottom taking the overall victory at Albert Park.

The factory Ford squad appeared to have the complete package at those two events, with car speed matched by strong fuel economy and quick pitstops.

Last year’s Symmons Plains event was one of FPR’s strongest for the season, although on-track intra-team squabbling arguably cost them a race victory.

With David Reynolds already showing plenty of promise in the team’s third car, managing all three entries may again prove vital this weekend.

Base: Campbelfield, Victoria Car: Ford Falcon FG Chassis: Ford Performance Racing Engines: Ford Performance Racing Team principal: Tim Edwards

#5 Mark Winterbottom Team: Orrcon Steel FPR Born: 20 May 1981 V8SC debut: Sandown, 2003 Starts: 246 Wins: 17 Career Highlights: 1st 2006 Sandown 500, 1st 2003 V8 Supercars Development Series, 2nd 2008 V8 Supercars Championship, 2nd 2002 Australian Formula Ford Championship

#6 Will Davison Team: Tradingpost FPR Born: 30 August 1982 V8SC debut: Winton, 2004 Starts: 196 Wins: 7 Career Highlights: 1st 2009 Bathurst 1000, 1st 2009 Phillip Island 500, 2nd 2009 V8 Supercars Championship, 2001 Australian Formula Ford Champion

#55 David Reynolds Team: The Bottle-O Racing Born: July 1985.

V8SC debut: Sandown, 2007 Starts: 51 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2007 Australian Carrera Cup Champion, 2004 Australian Formula Ford Champion, 4th 2008 V8 Supercars Development Series

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Kelly Racing Base: Braeside, Victoria Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Kelly Racing Engines: Kelly Racing Team principals: Rick and Todd Kelly

#7 Todd Kelly

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Kelly Racing has made a late change to its driver line-up for the Tasmania Challenge, with its Development Series driver David Russell replacing an injured Greg Murphy.

Russell has six previous V8 Supercars Championship starts to his name but is yet to tackle a solo event. On that basis, out-pacing either Todd Kelly, who himself struggled with a foot injury at Albert Park, or Karl Reindler will be a great result.

Todd Kelly enjoyed one of his best events of the season here last year - matching the pace of brother Rick Kelly.

With tyre life and fuel consumption both suspect, a top 10 for any of these cars will be a good performance.

Team: Jack Daniel’s Racing Born: 9 October 1979 V8SC debut: Eastern Creek, 1999 Starts: 358 Wins: 19 Career Highlights: 1st 2005 Bathurst 1000, 1st 2003 Sandown 500, 2nd 1998 Australian Drivers’ Championship, 2nd 2006 Bathurst 1000, 2nd 2006 Bathurst 1000

#11 Karl Reindler Team: Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Born: 18 April 1985 V8SC debut: Bathurst, 2008 Starts: 58 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2004 Australian F3 Champion, 8th 2008 V8 Supercars Development Series, 3rd 2006 A1GP Shanghai Feature Race

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

#15 Rick Kelly Team: Jack Daniel’s Racing Born: 7 January 1983 V8SC debut: Queensland, 2001 Starts: 299 Wins: 12 Career Highlights: 2006 V8 Supercars Champion, 1st 2003 & 2004 Bathurst 1000 , 2001 Australian Drivers’ Champion, 2nd 2000 Australian Formula Ford Championship

#51 David Russell Team: Pepsi Max Crew Born: 4 January 1982 V8SC debut: Bathurst, 2003 Starts: 6 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 3rd 2009 and 2011 V8 Supercars Development Series, 3rd 2008 Australian Carrera Cup, 5th 2010 V8 Supercars Development Series

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Brad Jones Racing Base: Albury, Victoria Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Walkinshaw Racing Engines: Noonan Race Engines Team principal: Chris Clark

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Fabian Coulthard was undoubtedly one of the positive stories both at Adelaide and Albert Park, with the Kiwi jagging strong results at both circuits. A mixed tyre event at Symmons Plains in 2009 handed Coulthard the only podium finish of his career so far, and with strategy calls one of BJR’s key strengths, more top 10s could be on the cards.

Team-mate Jason Bright was forced to pull out of last year’s Symmons event halfway through due to a shoulder injury, and has endured a horror start to 2012 with major shunts at the opening two events. The 1998 Bathurst winner will be keen to re-establish his role as team leader at Symmons, but challenging the top teams looks unlikely.

#8 Jason Bright Team: Team BOC Born: 7 March 1973 V8SC debut: Symmons Plains, 1997 Starts: 385 Wins: 30 Career Highlights: 1st 1998 Bathurst 1000, 1995 Australian Formula Ford Champion, 1997 Australian Drivers’ Champion, 1st 2006 Sandown 500

#14 Fabian Coulthard Team: Lockwood Racing Born: 28 July 1982 V8SC debut: Oran Park, 2004 Starts: 158 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2005 Australian Carrera Cup Champion, 2001 NZ Formula Ford Champion, 3rd 2004 Australian Carrera Cup, 4th 2000 NZ Formula Ford Championship

#21 David Wall Team: Wilson Security Racing Born: 1 January 1983 V8SC debut: Phillip Island, 2009 Starts: 8 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2009 & 2010 Australian GT Champion, 3rd 2007 Australian GT Championship, 11th 2011 V8 Supercars Development Series

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Dick Johnson Racing

All four Dick Johnson Racing Falcons have proven off the pace so far this year, and there’s nothing to suggest that fact may change this weekend.

Although the mixed tyre races will provide more of opportunity for a surprise result than Adelaide, the team’s slump has proven hard to break regardless of the race or tyre formats since taking hold midway through last year.

The team did not manage to get any of its drivers into the top half of the field in qualifying at the Clipsal 500- a feat that, if repeated this weekend, will make things very difficult on the tight Symmons layout.

Base: Yatla, Queensland Car: Ford Falcon FG Chassis: Triple Eight Race Engineering Engines: InoV8 (Roger Higgins) Team principal: Dick Johnson

#12 Dean Fiore

Team: Jim Beam Racing Born: 1 December 1983 V8SC debut: Adelaide, 2009 Starts: 82 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2008 Australian Carrera Cup Championship, 4th 2005 Australian Formula Ford Championship, 5th 2007 Australian Carrera Cup Championship

#17 Steven Johnson Team: Jim Beam Racing Born: 6 September 1974 V8SC debut: Oran Park, 1994 Starts: 387 Wins: 3 Career Highlights: 1st 2001 Queensland 500, 1st 2001 Canberra 400, 5th 2001 V8 Supercars Championship, 6th 2009 V8 Supercars Championship

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

#18 James Moffat Team: Team Norton DJR Born: 18 June 1984 V8SC debut: Phillip Island, 2010 Starts: 32 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2009 V8 Development Series, 3rd 2008 Australian Carrera Cup Championship, 3rd 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship

#49 Steve Owen Team: VIP Petfoods Racing Born: 18 December 1974 V8SC debut: Bathurst, 1999 Starts: 136 Wins: 1 Career Highlights: 1st 2008 & 2010 V8 Supercars Development Series, 1st 2010 V8 Supercars Race 20 (Gold Coast), 2nd 1999 Australian Formula Ford Championship

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Tekno Autosports

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Jonathon Webb will be itching to get back into his own car this weekend after competing at the Grand Prix event with a car borrowed from Paul Morris Motorsport.

Webb went from hero to zero in Adelaide - qualifying a stunning fourth on Saturday, before crashing out of the weekend in a qualifying accident on Sunday morning.

The 28-year-old ran strongly here last year in his Triple Eight Ford, and may again prove a top 15 threat.

For team-mate Michael Patrizi, continuing to quietly gather points the way he did in Adelaide will mark a successful weekend.

Base: Stapylton, Queensland Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Triple Eight Race Engineering Engines: KRE Team principal: Jonathon Webb

#19 Jonathon Webb Team: Tekno Autosports Born: 10 December 1983 V8SC debut: Sandown, 2006 Starts: 63 Wins: 1 Career Highlights: 1st 2009 V8 Supercars Development Series, 3rd 2005 Australian Carrera Cup Championship, 2010 V8 Supercars Race 26 winner

#91 Michael Patrizi Team: Tekno Autosports Born: 4 May 1984 V8SC debut: Adelaide, 2008 Starts: 32 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2nd 2005 Formula BMW Asia,, 8th 2006 Formula BMW UK, 18th 2007 Formula 3 Euroseries, 6th 2011 Australian Carrera Cup Championship

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Garry Rogers Motorsport

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Alexdre Premat has performed admirably in his early V8 Supercars outings. The Frenchman qualified in the 20s for both races in Adelaide, but proved undeterred by racing in the at times ferocious midfield battle. Staying out of trouble will be an even more difficult task at Symmons Plains however - a circuit that contrasts greatly with the European venues he is most used to.

Caruso meanwhile would have had higher hopes for his start to the year - a top 10 qualifying effort on Sunday in Adelaide coming to naught with a first lap spin.

Top 10 results will again be tough as the team focuses on bringing Premat up to speed.

Base: Knoxfield, Victoria Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Garry Rogers Motorsport Engines: Walkinshaw Racing Team manager: Pierluigi Orsi

#33 Alexandre Premat Team: Fujitsu Racing GRM Born: 5 April 1982 V8SC debut: Adelaide, 2012 Starts: 2 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 2008 Le Mans Series Champion, 1st 2005-06 A1 GP Series (Team France), 1st 2004 Macau Grand Prix, 1st 2004 Masters of F3

#34 Michael Caruso Team: Fujitsu Racing GRM Born: 25 May 1983 V8SC debut: Bathurst, 2006 Starts: 122 Wins: 1 Career Highlights: 2003 Australian Formula 3 Champion, 3rd 2009 Bathurst 1000, 1st 2009 V8 Supercars Race 10 (Hidden Valley), 2nd 2007 V8 Supercars Development Series

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Driver Profiles

Tony D’Alberto Racing Base: Knoxfield, Victoria Car: Ford Falcon FG Chassis: Ford Performance Racing Engines: Ford Performance Racing Team principal: Al D’Alberto

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Tony D’Alberto could well be on for a career best weekend in Tasmania. The Victorian qualified well among the top 10 on Saturday at Symmons Plains last year, and should again benefit from a highly competitive FPR package.

The #3 Falcon narrowly missed the top 10 in qualifying for both races in Adelaide, and heads to the second points scoring event a solid 15th in the standings.

#3 Tony D’Alberto Team: Tony D’Alberto Racing Born: 9 December 1985 V8SC debut: Sandown, 2005 Starts: 124 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 1st 2007 V8 Supercars Development Series, 6th 2007 Bathurst 1000, 5th 2005 V8 Supercars Development Series, 9th 2011 Bathurst 1000

Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport Base: Nunawading, Victoria Car: Holden Commodore VEII Chassis: Triple Eight Race Engineering Engines: KRE Team principal: Lucas Dumbrell

THE BAGMAN’S SAY...

Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport’s Commodore has headed from Albert Park to Symmons Plains the hard way. The Triple Eight chassis was repaired in Brisbane following the multi-car Race 3 crash that saw the #30 Commodore out for the weekend.

Coupled with a crash in the opening of the season in Adelaide, it’s been a horror start to the season for rookie Taz Douglas and the team.

It hasn’t been all bad however, who qualified 23rd and 24th for the two Adelaide races in a team that is used to being at the very back of the grid.

Finishes in the 10-20 bracket are a realistic goal, especially in these mixed tyre races.

#30 Taz Douglas Team: Lucas Dumbrell Motorsport Born: 11 February 1985 V8SC debut: Phillip Island, 2009 Starts: 7 Wins: 0 Career Highlights: 1st 2010 V8 Supercars Development Series Sandown Race 2, 8th 2007 Australian Formula Ford Championship, 9th 2009 V8 Supercars Development Series

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Race Stats

Championship Standings Pos

Driver

Team

Car

1 2 3

Garth Tander

4

Mark Winterbottom

Will Davison

Trading Post FPR

Ford Falcon FG

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Holden Commodore VE

270

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VE

258

Orrcon Steel FPR

Ford Falcon FG

222

5

Craig Lowndes

6

Lee Holdsworth

TeamVodafone

Holden Commodore VE

206

IRWIN Racing

Holden Commodore VE

201

7

Fabian Coulthard

8

Shane Van Gisbergen

Lockwood Racing

Holden Commodore VE

186

SP Tools Racing

Ford Falcon FG

174

9

Rick Kelly

10

Tim Slade

Jack Daniel’s Racing

Holden Commodore VE

168

Lucky 7 Racing

Ford Falcon FG

147

11

Steven Johnson

12

Russell Ingall

Jim Beam Racing

Ford Falcon FG

132

Supercheap Auto Racing

Holden Commodore VE

132

13

Todd Kelly

14

Michael Patrizi

Jack Daniel’s Racing

Holden Commodore VE

126

Tekno Autosports

Holden Commodore VE

123

15

Tony D’Alberto

16

Steve Owen

Tony D’Alberto Racing

Ford Falcon FG

111

VIP Petfoods Racing

Ford Falcon FG

111

17

Dean Fiore

18

Alexandre Premat

Jim Beam Racing

Ford Falcon FG

105

Fujitsu Racing GRM

Holden Commodore VE

105

19

David Reynolds

20

David Wall

The Bottle-O Racing

Ford Falcon FG

96

Wilson Security Racing

Holden Commodore VE

93

21

Karl Reindler

22

Michael Caruso

Fair Dinkum Sheds Racing Holden Commodore VE

90

Fujitsu Racing GRM

Holden Commodore VE

78

23

James Moffat

24

Jason Bright

Team Norton DJR

Ford Falcon FG

60

Team BOC

Holden Commodore VE

57

25

Jonathon Webb

26

Greg Murphy

Tekno Autosport

Holden Commodore VE

36

Pepsi Max Crew

Holden Commodore VE

33

27

Taz Douglas

28

James Courtney

Team iSelect

Holden Commodore VE

33

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VE

30

Pts

288

37

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Race Stats

Recent Symmons Plains Race Winners

Year

Driver

Team

Car

2011

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Holden Commodore VE

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Holden Commodore VE

2010

Mark Winterbottom

Orrcon Steel FPR

Ford Falcon FG

Craig Lowndes

TeamVodafone

Holden Commodore VE

2009

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Ford Falcon FG

Garth Tander

Toll Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VE

2008

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodadone

Ford Falcon BF

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Ford Falcon BF

Todd Kelly

Jack Daniel’s Racing

Holden Commodore VE

2007

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Ford Falcon BF

Jamie Whincup

TeamVodafone

Ford Falcon BF

Garth Tander

Toll HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VE

2006

Garth Tander

Toll HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

Garth Tander

Toll HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

Jason Bright

Ford Performance Racing

Ford Falcon BA

2005

Garth Tander

HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

Garth Tander

HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

Garth Tander

HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

2004

David Besnard

WPS Racing

Ford Falcon BA

Marcos Ambrose

Stone Borthers Racing

Ford Falcon BA

Rick Kelly

K-Mart Racing

Holden Commodore VY

1999

Mark Skaife

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VT

Mark Skaife

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VT

Greg Murphy

Wynns Racing

Holden Commodore VT

1998

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS

Glenn Seton

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Falcon EL

1997

Greg Murphy

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS

Greg Murphy

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS

Peter Brock

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS

1996

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VR

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VR

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VR

1995

Peter Brock

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VR

John Bowe

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon EF

1994

Mark Skaife

Winfield Racing

Holden Commodore VP

Mark Skaife

Winfield Racing

Holden Commodore VP

1993

Alan Jones

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Falcon EB

Alan Jones

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Falcon EB

1992

Glenn Seton

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

Glenn Seton

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1991

Jim Richards

Nissan Motorsport Australia

Nissan Skyline GT-R R32

1990

Dick Johnson

Shell Ultra-Hi Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1989

Dick Johnson

Shell Ultra-Hi Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1988

Dick Johnson

Shell Ultra-Hi Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1987

George Fury

Peter Jackson Nissan Racing

Nissan Skyline DR30

1986

Robbie Francevic

Volvo Dealer Team

Volvo 240T

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Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Race Stats

Past ATCC/V8SC Champions

Year

Driver

Team

Car

2011

Jamie Whincup

Triple Eight Race Engineering

Holden Commodore VE

2010

James Courtney

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon FG

2009

Jamie Whincup

Triple Eight Race Engineering

Ford Falcon FG

2008

Jamie Whincup

Triple Eight Race Engineering

Ford Falcon BF

2007

Garth Tander

Toll HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VE

2006

Rick Kelly

Toll HSV Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VZ

2005

Russell Ingall

Stone Brothers Racing

Ford Falcon BA

2004

Marcos Ambrose

Stone Brothers Racing

Ford Falcon BA

2003

Marcos Ambrose

Stone Brothers Racing

Ford Falcon BA

2002

Mark Skaife

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VX

2001

Mark Skaife

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VX

2000

Mark Skaife

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VT

1999

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS/VT

1998

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VS/VT

1997

Glenn Seton

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Falcon EL

1996

Craig Lowndes

Holden Racing Team

Holden Commodore VR

1995

John Bowe

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon EF

1994

Mark Skaife

Gibson Motor Sport

Holden Commodore VP

1993

Glenn Seton

Glenn Seton Racing

Ford Falcon EB

1992

Mark Skaife

Winfield Team Nissan

Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R

1991

Jim Richards

Gibson Motor Sport

Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R

1990

Jim Richards

Gibson Motor Sport

Nissan Skyline HR31 GTS-R, R32 GT-R

1989

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1988

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Sierra RS500

1987

Jim Richards

JPS Team BMW

BMW M3 E30

1986

Robbie Francevic

Volvo Dealer Team

Volvo 240T

1985

Jim Richards

JPS Team BMW

BMW 635CSi

1984

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon XE

1983

Allan Moffat

Peter Stuyvesant Racing

Mazda RX-7

1982

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon XD

1981

Dick Johnson

Dick Johnson Racing

Ford Falcon XD

1980

Peter Brock

Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Holden Commodore VB

1979

Bob Morris

Ron Hodgson Channel 7 Racing

Holden Torana LX SS A9X

1978

Peter Brock

Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Holden Torana LX SS A9X

1977

Allan Moffat

Moffat Ford Dealers

Ford Falcon XB GT, XC

1976

Allan Moffat

Allan Moffat Racing

Ford Falcon XB GT

1975

Colin Bond

Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Holden Torana LH SL/R 5000 L34

1974

Peter Brock

Marlboro Holden Dealer Team

Holden Torana LJ GTR XU-1, LH SL/R 5000

1973

Allan Moffat

Ford Motor Company

Ford Falcon XY GTHO Phase III

1972

Bob Jane

Bob Jane Racing Team

Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1

1971

Bob Jane

Bob Jane Racing Team

Chevrolet Camaro ZL-1

1970

Norm Beechey

Shell Racing Team

Holden Monaro HT GTS350

1969

Ian Geoghegan

Mustang Team

Ford Mustang

1968

Ian Geoghegan

Mustang Team

Ford Mustang

1967

Ian Geoghegan

Mustang Team

Ford Mustang

1966

Ian Geoghegan

Total Team

Ford Mustang

1965

Norm Beechey

Neptune Racing Team

Ford Mustang

1964

Ian Geoghegan

Total Team

Ford Cortina GT

1963

Bob Jane

Bob Jane

Jaguar 3.8 Litre Mk II

1962

Bob Jane

Bob Jane

Jaguar 3.8 Litre Mk II

1961

Bill Pitt

Bill Pitt

Jaguar 3.4 Litre

1960

David McKay

David McKay

Jaguar 3.4 Litre

41

42

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I Event Schedule

Schedule of Events Friday Start

Finish Category

Duration

Session

0900

0930

Formula 3

30 minutes

Practice 1

0940

1000

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Practice 1

1010

1030

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Practice 1

1040

1100

Targa Invitational’s

20 minutes

Practice 1

1120

1140

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Practice 2

1150

1220

Formula 3

30 minutes

Practice 2

1230

1250

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Practice 2

1300

1330

V8 Supercars

30 minutes

Practice - Part 1

(Lower 50%)

1340

1400

Targa Invitational’s

20 minutes

Qualifying 1

1410

1430

V8 Supercars

20 minutes

Practice - Part 2

(All Drivers)

1440

Practice - Part 3

1500

V8 Supercars

20 minutes

(All Drivers)

1510

1530

20 minutes

Qualifying 1

Start

Finish Category

Duration

Session

0930

0945

Formula 3

15 minutes

Qualifying 1

0950

1000

Formula 3

10 minutes

Qualifying 2

1010

1040

V8 Supercars

30 minutes

Practice - Part 4

V8 Utes

Saturday

(All Drivers)

1055

1115

Targa Invitationl’s

20 minutes

Race 1

1130

1150

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Race 1

1205

1225

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Qualifying 1

1240

1300

Formula 3

20 minutes

Race 1

1325

1345

V8 Supercars

20 minutes

Qualifying

1400

1420

Targa Invitational’s

20 minutes

Race 2

1435

1455

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Race 2

1510

1530

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Race 1

1610

V8 Supercars

59 Laps

Race 3 - 140km

Sunday Start

Finish Category

Duration

Session

0920

0950

Formula 3

30 minutes

Race 2

1005

1035

V8 Supercars

30 minutes

Practice - Part 5

(All Drivers)

1100

1120

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Race 3

1135

1155

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Race 2

1210

1230

Targa Invitational’s

20 minutes

Race 3

1300

1320

V8 Supercars

20 minutes

Qualifying

1330

1350

Formula 3

20 minutes

Race 3

1405

1425

V8 Utes

20 minutes

Race 4

1440

1500

Formula Ford

20 minutes

Race 3

1535

V8 Supercars

84 Laps

Race 4 - 200km

1700

1720

Targa Invitational’s

20 minutes

Race 4

43

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44

Races 3/4 - Symmons Plains I

FLASHBACK Craig Lowndes was the man to catch at Symmons Plains in 1998, taking two of the three races on his way to the round victory. While his career record stood at five wins from six starts after the event, the now TeamVodafone driver has tamed Tasmania just once in 24 subsequent attempts.

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