PRESS ROOM

Stone Brothers Racing Upbeat for Eastern Creek

Round 2, Eastern Creek International Raceway, NSW

7-9 March 2008

Stone Brothers Racing heads to this weekend’s second round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Eastern Creek upbeat about its chances following a rollercoaster first round in Adelaide almost two weeks ago.

JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney will drive the ex-Russell Ingall 2005 Championship winning chassis this weekend after his BF Ford Falcon was heavily damaged in leg two of the Clipsal 500 Adelaide almost two weeks ago.

Despite the long hours required to turn the number-four car around for Eastern Creek, Courtney and the JELD-WEN crew are confident they can maintain the exceptional car speed they showed at the Adelaide street circuit.

As for the war-of-words that erupted following the incident that resulted in Courtney, Craig Lowndes and Mark Winterbottom retiring from leg two of the Clipsal 500, the JELD-WEN Motorsport driver says he is focused on moving forward and his championship hunt.

Not to be overshadowed by his more experienced team-mate, SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen is approaching round two with a quiet confidence after his fifth place at his Clipsal 500 Adelaide debut.

Van Gisbergen and his SP Tools Racing crew will carry momentum into round two of the V8 Supercar Championship Series but remain focused on their original goal of top fifteen finishes.

The 3.93km Sydney circuit is new to the Kiwi youngster and he expects that he will take some time to settle in.

With the new practice format excluding the top 15 championship drivers from 2007 from part one of practice, van Gisbergen will use the 30-minute session to come to grips with the circuit. SBR’s Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series driver Jonathon Webb will pilot the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon.

V8 Supercars hit the track at 12:50pm on Friday for practice, followed by an elimination-style qualifying session and race one on Saturday and races two and three on Sunday.

James Courtney, car #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon

“We were speedy at Eastern Creek last year, picking up third in a very wet practice.

“In addition we had great car speed at Clipsal. Even though I am in a different car this weekend, I don’t think it will be a drama; we should be able to maintain that.

“Surprisingly, the old car has ended up carrying more ballast than my car so the guys are pretty chuffed; they have done a great job to turn the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon around for this weekend.

“There’s been a lot of talk following Clipsal, but you can’t change what happened last round and we are certainly not looking for a repeat performance at Eastern Creek.

“It’s a matter of forgive but not forget. It’s time for us to look forward; our main aim is to get a good bag of points and start our championship hunt.

“We’re looking to have good car speed and a consistent weekend from all sides, no mistakes.”

Shane van Gisbergen, car #9, SP Tools Racing Falcon

“The result at Clipsal was great for us; we have a bit of momentum so hopefully we can carry it on for the next round.

“Everyone on the SP Tools Racing car is on a high. Maybe not so much on the JELD-WEN side but they have done a great job to turn a car around for James as well. There is a great atmosphere within the team.

“It doesn’t really change anything though, we will still be aiming for the top 15. You’ve got to be realistic about it; we still have the same goals for the year.

“Eastern Creek is another new circuit for me so it will take a while to settle in.

“I’ve been watching the footage from the last few years. It seems to be a fast and flowing track, definitely a place where you would want your car to be well balanced.

“I can’t really relate it to any of the tracks in New Zealand, there is nothing like it over there.”

[top]

JELD-WEN Windows & Doors Australia

THE JELD-WEN AUSTRALIA FAMILY

Stone Brothers Racing Upbeat for Eastern Creek

More Information