Frosty misses podium by 1 lap

3 March 2012

Frosty and Will conserve fuel

Orrcon Steel Racing’s Will Davison has finished second in a drama-fuelled Race 1 of the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship with team-mate Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom robbed by a splash of fuel to eventually finiOrrcon Steel Racing’s Will Davison has finished second in a drama-fuelled Race 1 of the 2012 V8 Supercars Championship with team-mate Mark ‘Frosty’ Winterbottom robbed by a splash of fuel to eventually finish ninth at the Clipsal 500.

With two major incidents across the 78 lap race causing safety cars to be deployed, fuel strategy became imperative with some opting for three pit stops and others two, who would run the risk of running empty on the closing laps.

Davison was just a third of a lap away from his maiden race win with Ford Performance Racing when a charging Jamie Whincup (on a three stop strategy) passed the Orrcon Steel Racing driver on turn 9 of the final lap with Davison fading due to a lack of fuel.

So much of a lack of fuel, it saw Davison – who ran a two stop strategy – stop some 50 metres past the finish line in pit exit.

“I’m really happy for Jamie, this is a special win for him and he deserved it,” commented Davison.

“But for me its really frustrating, I tried to hang in there but we were running that empty I simply couldn’t push the car any harder on the final lap or we wouldn’t have made it home.

“We put on a good show and I’m second in the championship right now. My time will come to crack that maiden win with the team.”

Starting from seventh on the grid, Frosty was on a mission and with 10 laps to go was in third, albeit trying as hard as possible to conserve fuel.

Unfortunately with just two laps remaining and a dry fuel tank the decision was made to pit the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Ford for literally a splash of fuel to ensure the security of championship points rather than risking zero.

This saw Frosty drop from third to ninth despite one of the quickest pit stops in V8 Supercars history.

“We took a gamble and unfortunately we were probably just half a lap of fuel off being on the podium today,” commented a disappointed Frosty.

“That’s racing though and at least I’ve come away with some points and not walked away from this race last in the current championship standings.

“We’ll be looking to put the Orrcon Steel FPR Ford on pole tomorrow and hopefully score that first win in Adelaide which we’ve come so close to achieving over the years.”

Tomorrow sees a 20 minute qualifying session at 11.15am before the second, 78-lap race of the weekend at 14.35.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Qualifying: 11.15am – 11.35am

Race: 2.35pm – 5.00pm

TELEVISION SCHEDULE Times subject to amendment, please check local guides:

SEVEN NETWORK

Sunday, March 4  12.00pm – 4.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Brisbane)
1.00pm – 5.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Sydney, Melbourne)
12.30pm – 5.00pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Adelaide)
10.00am – 2.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Perth)

RACE REPLAYS

SPEEDTV The times below are in Australian Eastern Standard Time

Saturday, March 3  9.30pm – 11.30pm: Race 1

Sunday, March 4  9.30pm – 11.30pm: Race 2sh ninth at the Clipsal 500.

With two major incidents across the 78 lap race causing safety cars to be deployed, fuel strategy became imperative with some opting for three pit stops and others two, who would run the risk of running empty on the closing laps.

Davison was just a third of a lap away from his maiden race win with Ford Performance Racing when a charging Jamie Whincup (on a three stop strategy) passed the Orrcon Steel Racing driver on turn 9 of the final lap with Davison fading due to a lack of fuel.

So much of a lack of fuel, it saw Davison – who ran a two stop strategy – stop some 50 metres past the finish line in pit exit.

“I’m really happy for Jamie, this is a special win for him and he deserved it,” commented Davison.

“But for me its really frustrating, I tried to hang in there but we were running that empty I simply couldn’t push the car any harder on the final lap or we wouldn’t have made it home.

“We put on a good show and I’m second in the championship right now. My time will come to crack that maiden win with the team.”

Starting from seventh on the grid, Frosty was on a mission and with 10 laps to go was in third, albeit trying as hard as possible to conserve fuel.

Unfortunately with just two laps remaining and a dry fuel tank the decision was made to pit the #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Ford for literally a splash of fuel to ensure the security of championship points rather than risking zero.

This saw Frosty drop from third to ninth despite one of the quickest pit stops in V8 Supercars history.

“We took a gamble and unfortunately we were probably just half a lap of fuel off being on the podium today,” commented a disappointed Frosty.

“That’s racing though and at least I’ve come away with some points and not walked away from this race last in the current championship standings.

“We’ll be looking to put the Orrcon Steel FPR Ford on pole tomorrow and hopefully score that first win in Adelaide which we’ve come so close to achieving over the years.”

Tomorrow sees a 20 minute qualifying session at 11.15am before the second, 78-lap race of the weekend at 14.35.

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

Qualifying: 11.15am – 11.35am

Race: 2.35pm – 5.00pm

TELEVISION SCHEDULE Times subject to amendment, please check local guides:

SEVEN NETWORK

Sunday, March 4  12.00pm – 4.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Brisbane)
1.00pm – 5.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Sydney, Melbourne)
12.30pm – 5.00pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Adelaide)
10.00am – 2.30pm Qualifying & Race 2 (Perth)

RACE REPLAYS

SPEEDTV The times below are in Australian Eastern Standard Time

Saturday, March 3  9.30pm – 11.30pm: Race 1

Sunday, March 4  9.30pm – 11.30pm: Race 2

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