Winterbottom takes Pole at Bathurst

9 October 2010

Frosty gets 1st in the shoot out

Mark Winterbottom has secured pole position for Australia’s biggest race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, for the second time in his career.

The 29 year-old set the Mount Panorama track alight aboard the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon during the Top Ten Shootout this afternoon with a blistering 2m07.5377s lap.

As the seventh driver to take to the circuit in the one lap dash, Winterbottom endured a nervous wait as he watched Craig Lowndes, Jamie Whincup and provisional pole sitter Jason Bright attempt to knock him off the top spot.

When Bright’s time was nearly seven tenths down on Winterbottom’s at the second split, the number one spot was Winterbottom’s – who will share the driving duties in tomorrow’s race with Luke Youlden.

It is the fourth time in five years that Winterbottom has qualified on the front row for Australia’s Great Race.

“To get on pole position is awesome and a huge thing. There has been a fair bit of pressure on use as a team and I’ve rewarded them with a pole position,” said Winterbottom.

“We've really been focused on the race, so to have pole position is a bit of a odd feeling because I think the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon will be even stronger tomorrow.

“Luke's done a fantastic job all weekend too, and we both feel comfortable. So I'm surprised to get pole today - that's probably why the emotion's a bit higher than normal.

“When you expect it, it doesn't mean as much as when you have to battle hard to get it.”

Steve Richards will start tomorrow’s 161-lap race , that will start at 10:30am, from 14th position in the Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon.

Event 10 of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000
Bathurst, NSW


RESULTS: Top Ten Shootout
1. #5 Mark Winterbottom 2:07.5377
2. #888 Craig Lowndes 2:07.6201
3. #1 Jamie Whincup 2:07.7226
4. #33 Lee Holdsworth 2:07.7674
5. #2 Garth Tander 2:07.8489
6. #22 Will Davison 2:08.0379
7. #18 James Courtney 2:08.1665
8. #14 Jason Bright 2:08.3979
9. #51 Greg Murphy 2:08.7361
10. #55 Paul Dumbrell 2:08.9597

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