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Davison secures sensational seven

Davison secures sensational seven

20 May 2012

Frosty finishes 6th after queuing in pit lane

Ford Performance Racing has claimed its seventh-straight win after Will Davison rebounded from yesterday’s accident to claim victory at Phillip Island.

The win was secured despite a number of safety car periods erasing the substantial lead he built up early in the race.

Davison’s win moves him back into the series lead and also gives FPR its third consecutive clean-sweep following victories in New Zealand and Perth.

Saturday winner Mark Winterbottom looked in contention for the win until he was forced to queue in pit lane behind his team-mate during an early safety car period which saw the bulk of the field pit.

Despite not changing tyres to prevent dropping to the rear of the field, the resultant loss in time meant he emerged in the middle of a large pack of cars on older tyres. He recovered throughout the race and in the closing laps gained a number of places to finish sixth.

David Reynolds similarly did not change his tyres to maintain track position though the strategy did not work as planned and he dropped into the midfield pack.

Late in the race on fresher rubber he, like Winterbottom, passed a number of cars to finish eighth.

In qualifying Reynolds was the best of the FPR trio in claiming second for the second time in as many days. Davison was a close third and Winterbottom did enough for fourth to ensure the factory Ford team again had three cars in the top four.

DRIVERS’ VIEW
Will Davison – #6 Tradingpost FPR Ford

Practice 4: 5^th – 1m33.58s

Qualifying: 3^rd – 1m32.52s

Race result: 1^st – Best lap: 1m33.90s
“This weekend has been a real test of character and after yesterday’s craziness I am so happy to win today. I was down on things last night and purposely started today with a clean slate as I couldn’t change what happened yesterday. That focus and the sheer hard work of the crew that had to do it tough last night to repair my car makes this a very sweet win. The race wasn’t easy what with safety cars, the busy pit stop at the start of the race and the setting sun. It is good to be back at the top of the points table and after learning some good lessons in the last couple of events we are really looking forward to going to the next block of races up north.”

Mark Winterbottom – #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Ford

Practice 4: 14^th – 1m34.32s

Qualifying: 4^th – 1m32.70s

Race result: 6^th – Best lap: 1m34.06s
“I had a good start and was getting into a good rhythm and then the safety car came out and that was where it ended really. We didn’t change tyres as we didn’t have time and that meant I was racing guys on older rubber which made it tough. After our second stop we recovered well and I was able to pass a few cars to get further up the field where we would’ve been without the queue in the pits which was unavoidable. Anytime you queue the race is going to be tough but that aside I am back in the points hunt and looking forward to recouping over the next few weeks and going at it again in Darwin.”

David Reynolds – #55 The Bottle-O FPR Ford

Practice 4: 11^th – 1m34.07s

Qualifying: 2^nd – 1m32.50s

Race result: 8^th – Best lap: 1m34.30s
“I had a good start and I now have a good process which allows me to make consistent starts. Will drove away from me early as he had a lot of pace. We made a strategy call which wasn’t correct at the first stop by not changing tyres as it meant we were fighting for position on worse tyres than our rivals. By the second stop we were fine as we switched to better rubber but by then it was too late. Overall though we have taken another step forward this weekend so for that I am thankful.”

Tim Edwards – FPR Team Principal
“I am really happy to see Will win today and of course to extend our streak to seven. Last night his car was a mess and he was upset at the accident which took him out of the race. The crew worked wonders to get it ready for today’s race and he paid them back in spades with a great drive in tricky circumstances. He is back in the points lead too so it has been a great day for him. Mark unfortunately had to queue at the first pit stop so that delay and the fact we didn’t change his tyres made his day harder than it should’ve been. David suffered a similar situation though to their credit they both recovered well. We now have a little break before Darwin so we will enjoy the recent successes we’ve had.”

PHILLIP ISLAND 300 – RACE 2

RESULTS:

1) Will Davison – Ford Performance Racing

2) Craig Lowndes – Triple Eight

3) Jason Bright – Brad Jones Racing

4) Shane van Gisbergen – Stone Brothers Racing

5) Jamie Whincup – Triple Eight

6) Mark Winterbottom – Ford Performance Racing

8 David Reynolds – Ford Performance Racing

DRIVER CHAMPIONSHIP

1) Will Davison – Ford Performance Racing: 1216 points

2) Jamie Whincup – Triple Eight: 1206