PRESS ROOM

SBR On the Money at First Test

Thursday 22nd February 2007

Stone Brothers Racing’s Caltex Racing and JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcons hit the track for the first time this year at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday, completing a comprehensive test at the Willowbank circuit.

SBR’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series entry also tested for the first time with new recruit Jonathon Webb at the wheel.

Russell Ingall was the pace setter in the Caltex Racing Falcon, punching in consistently impressive lap times throughout the day.

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney didn’t have everything go his own way with some small dramas early on hampering progress. However the JELD-WEN crew worked to overcome the problems throughout the day and Courtney posted a time within two-tenths of Ingall’s best time later in the afternoon.

With most Queensland based teams testing on Monday, SBR had the run of the circuit for most of the day. They used it to their full advantage, posting almost 400 laps between the three cars.

As the only V8 Supercar team at Queensland Raceway on Tuesday, finding a benchmark for times was difficult but all indicators pointed to comparable if not better times than the fastest teams on Monday.

Russell Ingall, Caltex Racing

“Testing was good on Tuesday; but I think we still need a bit more pace. I wouldn’t say that we have come away from our first test thinking that we are going to get to Adelaide and win by half a lap.

“I do know that we are 100 per cent better off than we were the same time 12 months ago which is encouraging.

“The car is responsive to changes which is a good indication and it’s doing the right things. All in all it’s looking okay.

“The track conditions were pretty similar on the Monday and the Tuesday with all the other Queensland-based teams testing Monday so time comparisons should be pretty much the same.

“You can’t tell what tyres people had on but we seemed to be on the same sort of mark as Triple Eight, maybe a tenth or two quicker.

“However you can’t get complacent just because we went okay at Willowbank, our home circuit that we know very well, and assume that we are going to be fine everywhere.

“You’ve got to be a bit greedy and look for a bit more.”

James Courtney, JELD-WEN Motorsport

“The test didn’t go exactly to plan for us. We had a few dramas to begin with that we had to iron out but we managed to do that.

“We didn’t run on new tyres but the pace was pretty good and when compared to Russell, we weren’t too bad.

“The Caltex Falcon ran well so we will be able to learn from that information.

“It was good to get the first test out of the way which is always a big one. It was great to be back working with the JELD-WEN guys and blow the cobwebs off.”

Ross Stone, Team Manager, Stone Brothers Racing

“We had a very good test with the three cars.

“The Caltex Falcon made excellent progress all day. Russell was able to consistently put in good times and the crew was very happy.

“The JELD-WEN Falcon had a few problems early on but with both cars working together, it improved by the end of the day too.

“Jon Webb had his first full test with us as well and he did a really good job. The Fujitsu Series entry is looking very promising.”

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