PRESS ROOM

Test Gives SBR Confidence for Winton

Winton Motor Raceway

Round 4

18-20 May 2007

A strong test last week has given Stone Brothers Racing extra confidence for a run at the podium at round four of the V8 Supercar Championship Series this weekend at Winton Motor Raceway.

SBR had their second test of the year last Friday at Queensland Raceway. The team used the day to focus on development and preparation for coming rounds, concentrating on this weekend’s round at Winton in particular.

The test day also proved useful as a shakedown for the new team structure, with Barry Hay as SBR Crew Chief and Wes McDougall and David Stuart managing the JELD-WEN Motorsport and the Caltex Racing Falcons respectively.

Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall and JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney were both upbeat about Friday’s test, agreeing that the focus on development will result in an improvement in performance at future rounds.

SBR is keen to make amends at Winton Motor Raceway this year, after suffering a tough round at the same event last year.

The 3km circuit in northern Victoria proved problematic for both Courtney and Ingall in 2006. However the SBR pair has shown good form in the early rounds this year and Team Manager Ross Stone is confident that the three-time Championship team is well placed for a good result.

Courtney is currently sixth in the V8 Supercar Championship; Ingall is 11th.

SBR’s Jonathon Webb will have his first V8 Supercar start at Winton Motor Raceway this weekend in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series. It will not be his first trip to the Victorian circuit however, having raced there in the Carrera Cup Championship in 2003 and 2004.

Webb will be looking to continue his form following his first race win at Wakefield Park at round two of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series three weeks ago. He currently sits third in the series standings.

Ingall and Courtney will hit the track for the first V8 Supercar practice session at 1:15pm on Friday at Winton Motor Raceway. Webb will be out with the Fujitsu V8 Supercars at 9:30am.

Points of Interest

SBR’s last win at Winton was in 2003 when Marcos Ambrose won the 100 lap race; Russell Ingall was fourth.
This will be Russell Ingall’s ninth start in a V8 Supercar at Winton Motor Raceway; it will be James Courtney’s second start at the circuit.
Russell Ingall claimed his only V8 Supercar pole position at Winton Motor Raceway in 2001.
SBR tested the Caltex Racing Falcon, the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon and SBR’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series entry at Queensland Raceway on Friday 11 May.
SBR will run a tribute to George Begg on the wing end plates of both SBR Falcons at Winton. Begg was well known race car builder from New Zealand’s South Island. Begg, who retired to Hervey Bay, passed away on 22 April 2007.

Russell Ingall, #9, Caltex Racing

“Testing on Friday was really the first run of the new team structure with the changes to the engineering department.

“It was good to have a shakedown and it worked very well. With the way V8 Supercar teams operate today, it’s essential that both cars work closely together with the limits on test days and so on.

“Everything went smoothly and the new structure will maximize the development between the two cars.

“We gained a lot of information out of Friday’s test. We focused on the circuits coming up, not so much on lap times at Queensland Raceway.

“Winton hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for Falcons in recent years and the majority of the red teams test there. When you go into their backyard it’s always going to be tough and they are going well anyway.

“In saying that, we have seen at Queensland Raceway that sometimes the favourites don’t win on home turf.

“The nature of Winton means it doesn’t really suit the Falcon; the tracks that do are yet to come. But there are always surprises and some of the things we tried on Friday were specifically for Winton.

“I know the track very well; it was my home circuit for seven years. If the car is up to it there is a good chance we can pull out a good result.”

James Courtney, #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport

“Testing on Friday was a bit like the old days in Formula One where I would be testing things for other circuits on tracks that it wasn’t meant for.

“It was a difficult session in that regard, when you test Winton stuff at Queensland Raceway you have no gauge from the times on how you are going.

“You really need to trust your crew that you are heading in the right direction. We have come away from Friday learning a lot, not only for Winton but other rounds to come as well.

“It was great to have a run through with the new set up of the engineering guys. Everything went as planned and I feel confident that I have the right group of guys behind me to get the job done.

“I think we have a good shot at the podium this weekend; I have a bit of ground to make up on some of the Holden guys so I would like to come out of the weekend in the top four in the championship.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck in recent rounds; it’s been pretty frustrating waiting for everything to come together. But good things come to those who wait so there must be something good just around the corner.”

Jonathon Webb, #94, Stone Brothers Racing

“Testing on Friday was a hard day in some ways; we spent most of the day in development stages.

“Things picked up at the end of the day; I managed to do my quickest time around Queensland Raceway on old tyres at the end so that’s a positive to take away.

“It was a good chance to get lots of miles under my belt and I’m sure I’ll benefit from that.

“I haven’t been to Winton for a couple of years, but I usually have a pretty good run there. I was racing in Carrera Cup the last time I was there so I’m sure there will be some differences and a bit to learn going around there in a V8 Supercar.

“I’m really looking forward to getting out there and hope the weather treats us well; we’re keen to get some more race wins and stay up there in the Championship.

Ross Stone, Team Manager, Stone Brothers Racing

“Friday’s test day was only our second test of the year so it was always going to be a very busy day.

“We had a lot to work through and we did that with some positive results.

“Each car got through a lot of laps, over 140 each. It was a very comprehensive test that will put us in good shape for Winton.

“Winton can be a tough place but we have won there before. As a minimum we are looking for a podium this weekend.”

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