V8 Supercar Challenge
Surfers Paradise
Queensland
22-25 October 2009Frosty wins race 1 and 4
Mark Winterbottom drove a stunning and gutsy race at Surfers Paradise today, taking a dominant victory despite suffering from glandular fever.
The Orrcon Steel FPR driver described the 300km race, which he completed in 50+ degree cabin heat, as one of the toughest of his career. From outside, however, he made it look easy, scything though from sixth in qualifying to P2 at the end of this morning's part A and snatching the lead off the start in part B of the V8 Championship's 20th 2009 race.
From there he never looked in danger of losing his Nikon SuperGP victory and has finally taken home a winner's surfboard trophy after previously netting four for second-place.
"To have a car that can finish around here despite banging every panel on every tyre bundle shows what a great car we've got," said Frosty.
"It's been a tough weekend and I'm glad it's over that's for sure. The doctor gave me my final jab this morning so to finish in the way we did here ranks very highly in my career. It was one of the toughest races I've ever had but if you keep pushing hard you forget about the pain. It's a mental battle rather than physical, although I was having trouble feeling my legs towards the end."
Team-mate Steve Richards was given a drive-through penalty in part A after a coming together with Greg Murphy. He emerged 25th and drove a strong fight-back to finish 12th. In the afternoon's part B, Richo was fighting for a top ten spot when a bold move by Whincup, which is being investigated by the stewards, saw him end in the wall.
"I knew my race was half shot when I got the drive through so I just put my head down to try and catch the next car and get past it," said Richo. "I just did my best not to make any mistakes and maximise every second I was on track. I had good advantage there when I had clear track; I was able to keep pressing on.
"In this afternoon's race Whincup fired down the inside of Bargwana and I was following him through. It all looked like it was going to be easy but I copped a whack in the rear. I was just trying to fill the spot and we were unlucky."
The cars will be back on track at Phillip Island from November 6-8.
2009 Nikon SuperGP Races 19 & 20 V8 Supercar Series
SURFERS PARADIS E STREET CIRCUIT
Qualifying Race 20
1. Jason Bargwanna, Tasman, 1:49.9887*
3. Craig Lowndes, 888, +0.0609
3. Rick Kelly, Kelly Racing, +0.1008
4. Jamie Whincup, 888, +0.1102
5. Will Davison, HRT, +0.1285
6. Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon, +0.1523
14. Steve Richards, Castrol FPR Falcon, +0.6604
2009 Nikon SuperGP Races 19 & 20 V8 Supercar Series
SURFERS PARADISE STREET CIRCUIT
Race 20 - Part A
1. Craig Lowndes, 888
2. Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
3. Garth Tander, HRT
4. Russell Ingall, PMM
5. James Courtney, DJR
6. Steven Johnson, DJR
7. David Reynolds, TWR
8. Jason Bright, Britek
12. Steve Richards, Castrol FPR Falcon
2009 Nikon SuperGP Races 19 & 20 V8 Supercar Series
SURFERS PARADISE STREET CIRCUIT
Race 20 - Part B
1. Mark Winterbottom, Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
2. Garth Tander, HRT
3. James Courtney, DJR
4. Jason Bright, Britek
5. Steve Johnson, DJR
6. Jamie Whincup, 888
DNF Steve Richards, Castrol FPR Falcon