Season's best for Richo in Sydney Finale

Frosty out of the race after engine let go with 9 laps to go

Steve Richards has rounded out 2010 with his best result for the year when he recorded a hard charging second place in the final race of the Sydney Telstra 500 today.

After qualifying 16th, Richards meticulously worked his way towards the front of the pack aboard the Orrcon Steel-backed Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon to be running line astern with team-mate Mark Winterbottom with 20 laps remaining.

In an entertaining finish to the race Richards was in pursuit of Shane van Gisbergen, who was gambling on fuel strategy, and Lee Holdsworth before passing van Gisbergen on the final lap for the runner-up spot.

Richards’ podium finish was the 27th of his career. It is also the 12th consecutive year that he has secured a podium result in a V8 Supercar event.

Unfortunately for Winterbottom, his run towards the podium in the Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon came to a halt with a mechanical issue on lap 66. Despite failing to finish the weekend’s two races, Winterbottom crashed out of yesterday’s race in wet conditions, the 29 year-old held onto third position overall in the championship behind long-time rivals James Courtney and Jamie Whincup.

It is the fifth consecutive year Winterbottom has finished inside the top five in the championship while Richards' strong weekend moved him to 15th in the final standings.

Yesterday’s opening race was won by Jonathan Webb in dramatic fashion while Holdsworth secured the second race win of his career in today.

QUOTES FROM THE DRIVERS

Mark Winterbottom – #5 Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon
"Overall when you look at the year, to finish in the top three isn't too bad," said Winterbottom.

"The Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon was pretty good this weekend but we didn't get the results that were there for the taking.

"In today's race I hit the kerb in about lap five and had an electrical problem, it looks like I might have it a kerb later in the race and the car may have bottomed out or something - I'm not sure. It looks like it's a tailshaft that's let go, not an engine, something in the rear.

"It was good to see Richo finish on the podium to round out his year off with a bang and get a good result which is very nice for the team.

"All in all it was a good year, we need to improve in a few areas but I believe we've got a lot going for us in 2011.

"Now it's time to use what we've got and have a really good crack at the championship.”

Steve Richards – Orrcon Steel-backed #6 Dunlop Super Dealer FPR Falcon
"It's been a fairly torrid year for me and it's nice to have a podium," said Richards.

“We've been capable of being on the podium at a few races this year but we just haven't got there, it's just nice to get one over the line today for everyone involved in the team.

“I can't say enough about Ford Performance Racing - they're a great group of guys. The last four years have been fantastic.

"I think we were all pretty aware how close to the limit Shane and his team had gone with the fuel in today’s race, I must admit that I was incredibly surprised how far they went. Every lap we came around onto the main straight I expected him to pull into pit lane to refuel.

"In the end it was good to get onto the podium and finish the year off with a top result."

Sydney Telstra 500
Event 14 of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Sydney Olympic Park, NSW

RESULTS: Race Two
1. #33 Lee Holdsworth – 74 laps
2. #6 Steve Richards
3. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen
4. #17 Steven Johnson
5. #1 Jamie Whincup
6. #888 Craig Lowndes
7. #15 Rick Kelly
8. #34 Michael Caruso
9. #2 Garth Tander
10. #19 Jonathon Webb
DNF. #5 Mark Winterbottom – 65 laps

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:28.7999
2. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:28.8741
3. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:28.9571
4. #14 Jason Bright 1:28.9634
5. #22 Will Davison 1:29.0895
6. #34 Michael Caruso 1:29.1014
7. #7 Todd Kelly 1:29.1865
8. #2 Garth Tander 1:29.2146
9. #888 Craig Lowndes 1:29.2808
10. #47 Tim Slade 1:29.2921
16. #6 Steve Richards 1:29.5512

RESULTS: Race One
1. #19 Jonathon Webb – 69 laps
2. #14 Jason Bright
3. #15 Rick Kelly
4. #17 Steven Johnson
5. #24 Fabian Coulthard
6. #34 Michael Caruso
7. #33 Lee Holdsworth
8. #10 Andrew Thompson
9. #11 Jason Bargwanna – 68 laps
10. #55 Paul Dumbrell 68 laps
11. #6 Steve Richards – 67 laps
DNF #5 Mark Winterbottom – 60 laps

RESULTS: Top Ten Shootout
1. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:29.8733
2. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:29.9723
3. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:29.9742
4. #34 Michael Caruso 1:30.2246
5. #47 Tim Slade 1:30.4875
6. #18 James Courtney 1:30.7006
7. #7 Todd Kelly 1:30.8628
8. #4 Alex Davison 1:30.9382
9. #39 Russell Ingall 1:31.7551
10. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen 1:39.7771

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:29.0936
2. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen 1:29.3243
3. #39 Russell Ingall 1:29.4239
4. #47 Tim Slade 1:29.4533
5. #7 Todd Kelly 1:29.4776
6. #34 Michael Caruso 1:29.5547
7. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:29.5753
8. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:29.6429
9. #18 James Courtney 1:29.6636
10. #4 Alex Davison 1:29.6837
15. #6 Steve Richards 1:29.9599

V8 Supercar Championship Series Points Standings
After Race 26 of 26
1. James Courtney 3055
2. Jamie Whincup 2990
3. Mark Winterbottom 2729
4. Craig Lowndes 2669
5. Garth Tander 2466
6. Shane van Gisbergen 2391
7. Lee Holdsworth 2387
8. Rick Kelly 2347
9. Paul Dumbrell 2232
10. Steven Johnson 2006
15. Steve Richards 1630

WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Times below are Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (GMT + 11 hours)

AUS TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Times subject to amendment – please check local guides

SPEED TV (Foxtel 505) and SPEED TV HD (Foxtel 206)

Sunday 5 December 2010
9:30pm – 11:30pm: (Series Race 26 Highlights)

Monday 6 December 2010
1:30pm - 3:30pm: (Series Race 26 Highlights)