FPR building momentum for the big one

Frosty and Rich finish 3rd at the L&H 500

Bathurst is looming and FPR has proved its credentials today with a strong podium finish in the L&H 500 at Phillip Island.

Mark Winterbottom crossed the line in third place after a stellar race alongside co-driver Steve Richards, who started the 113-lap race from pole position.

“It’s a great result and it’s nice to be back on the podium,” said Frosty. “I think we’re really building momentum for the big one.”

Richo survived an intense first stint, warring with Alex Davison, David Besnard and being speared off by Nathan Pretty. He held his ground to hand the car over from fourth to Frosty on lap 49. 

“The first stint was quite interesting,” said Richo. “I saw Cameron McConville launching onto the track just in front of me and Lee Holdsworth and a few other cars spearing off. 

“We seem to be pushing the right buttons at the moment and it’s great to get such a good result for the L&H 500.”

The Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon emerged third after the second round of pit stops and Frosty held rank until the chequered flag for his eighth podium of the year.

“It’s a great result for the team and all our hard work is really starting to pay off now,” said Team Principal Tim Edwards. “We’ve still got some more work to do though because we want to be P1.”

Luke Youlden and Dean Canto, meanwhile, drove an incredible race in the Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon to finish ninth from 19th on the grid.  In the last stint Canto drove through to seventh before his rear tyres faded.

“It just happened for us today,” said Youlden. “We had genuinely good pace. The car was really good and we managed to really push on. I think the track just came to us a little bit; the car was strong in the changing conditions.”

The iconic Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is next on the V8 Supercar Championship Series Calendar in four weeks’ time and FPR is looking to earn its debut win

L&H 500 - 2009 V8 Supercar Championship - Race 17
PHILLIP ISLAND GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT
Race Result
1. Garth Tander / Will Davison, HRT
2. Craig Lowndes / Jamie Whincup, 888
3. Mark Winterbottom / Steve Richards, Castrol Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
4. James Courtney / Steven Johnson, DJR
6. Rick Kelly / Todd Kelly, Kelly Racing
5. Warren Luff / Jonathan Webb, DJR
9. Dean Canto / Luke Youlden, Orrcon Steel Castrol FPR Falcon

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Points
1. Jamie Whincup 2254
2. Will Davison 2083
3. Garth Tander 1738
4. Craig Lowndes 1725
5. Steve Johnson 1590
6. Mark Winterbottom 1574
11. Steve Richards 1253