FPR starts L&H 500 from Pole

Frosty qualifies 1st and wins the race to secure pole position for tomorrow

None-stop track action today at Phillip Island saw Ford Performance Racing’s Mark Winterbottom and Steve Richards emerge on pole position for tomorrow’s L&H 500.

The two drivers, who will share the Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon for tomorrow’s 113-lap race, were the fastest pairing over today’s qualifying structure, which saw both race in separate 14-lap sprints.

The compulsory pit stop, which can be taken in either race A or B, was taken by Richo, who survived a dramatic first lap. “I had a cracker of a start in that race only to find a stalled Jim Beam car in my path,” he said. “I picked a side to go to and was committed; if he had of moved more we would have crashed!” 

Richo finished 15th but, more importantly, in front of all the other cars that pitted.

Frosty, who was the fastest man overall today, started his race from pole position and never looked in danger of losing the lead. That gave the pair a joint points tally of 70, well ahead of second-place Triple Eight Racing.

“There’s plenty happening in qualifying and these races but both of us did a solid job,” said Frosty. “It’s a great reward for FPR after how hard we’ve worked.

”Saturday has always gone well for me at the enduros in the last couple of years but Sunday hasn’t been as kind. I think our race pace is going to be pretty good but 113 laps is a long way and it’s nice to do it in clean air rather than battling people.” 

Luke Youlden and Dean Canto qualified 19th overall after problems with tyres. They are now going to work with Richo and Frosty over-night to find the missing pace.

“I’m not too worried about the race tomorrow,” said Canto. “We started further back last year and came a long way back up.”

“I’m definitely still confident for tomorrow,” added Youlden. “The other car’s obviously quick so we just need to get our heads together.”

Both cars are back on track tomorrow at 10:25am.

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Driver A Qualifying
1. Paul Dumbrell, HRT, 1:33.3204*
2. Todd Kelly, Kelly Racing, +0.0110
3. Will Davison, HRT, 0.1159
4. Steven Johnson, DJR, +0.1983
5. Warren Luff, DJR, +0.2565
6. Steve Richards, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, +0.3854
9. Dean Canto, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, + 0.4466

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Driver B Qualifying
1. Mark Winterbottom, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, +1:33.1970*
2. Fabian Coulthard, PCR, +0.0267
3. Rick Kelly, Kelly Racing, +0.0655
4. James Courtney, DJR, +0.1335
5. Jason Richards, BJR, +0.1999
6. Jason Bright, Fujitsu Racing, +0.2040
20. Luke Youlden, Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon, +1.2084

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Driver A Race
1. Todd Kelly, Kelly Racing
2. Craig Lowndes, 888
3. Will Davison, HRT
4. Shane Van Gisbergen, SBR
5. Russell Ingall, PMM
6. Paul Dumbrell, HRT

8. Dean Canto, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon

15. Steve Richards, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Driver B Race
1. Mark Winterbottom, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
2. Fabian Coulthard, PCR
3. Jason Bright, Fujitsu Racing
4. James Courtney, DJR
5. David Besnard, GRM,
6. Jason Bargwanna, BJR
25. Luke Youlden, Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Grid positions
1. Mark Winterbottom / Steve Richards, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
2. Craig Lowndes / Jamie Whincup, 888
3. Garth Tander / Will Davison, HRT
4. Fabian Coulthard / Michael Patrizzi, PCR
5. James Courtney / Steve Johnson, DJR
6. Rick Kelly / Todd Kelly, Kelly Racing
19. Luke Youlden / Dean Canto, Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon