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Fujitsu racing score first top ten overall V8 result |
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Sunday, 03 August 2008 |
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Jason Bright has scored the best ever result for the Fujitsu Racing Team with ninth place overall at the eighth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Winton Motor Raceway in Central Victoria.
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The result came after 20th in race #1, eighth in race #2 and 10th in the final race of the weekend.
Race #2 was by the best individual race of the year, with Bright charging through the field with a cleaver pit strategy as well as passing a number of leading contenders on the road.
It was a great comeback for the Fujitsu Racing Falcon after a broken alternator ruined the chance of qualifying inside the top-10. Then in race #1 on Saturday, Bright was shuffled to the rear of the field from his 20th starting position after a collision just after the start.
That was all forgotten with two strong performances in the Sunday races.
“We are very pleased with the overall result,” said Bright.
“I’m even happier with the way we fought back from all the disappointment on Saturday.
“The car has been very good for at the last few rounds. However, we have lacked some straight-line speed and in the process got caught up in some incidents on the track.
“This weekend we ran the sequential gearbox for the first time and new rear hub. Those two additions have jumped us at least 10 spots up the order. The good news is that we have a few more things to come for the big races at Phillip Island and Bathurst.
“It would have been good to be on the pace a little earlier in the year. However, to be hitting our straps heading to the long distance races has everyone really excited.
“Our strength is longer races. Along with Adam Macrow in the car and Fujitsu Team behind us, we have every right to aim for victory.”
Fujitsu Racing Chief Engineer Geoff Slater has already started the planning for the endurance races.
“This weekend was a really good result and we are looking for even better results at Phillip Island and Bathurst,” said Slater.
“We added some new things on the car this weekend and it really showed that we are heading in the right direction.
“The second race was very pleasing. Jason passed plenty of cars and not just through our pit strategy. Also hats off to the boys who got him in and out in four seconds.
“Endurance racing requires a totally different approach to the races. Speed alone will not bring success. You have to be smart in the car and the pits. Over the last couple of years we have showed that we are a force in those races and we believe we will take a better package this year to Phillip Island and Bathurst.
“In many respects we have been planning for those races since Bathurst last year. Now we have six weeks to totally dedicate ourselves to challenging at Phillip Island.”
The L & H 500 at Phillip Island will be held on September 12-14.
2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Round 8 – Winton Motor Raceway, Victoria
Championship Points after Round 8 of 14
1. Garth Tander 1844
2. Mark Winterbottom 1832
3. Jamie Whincup 1758
4. Rick Kelly 1506
5. Will Davison 1426
6. Steve Richards 1383
7. Craig Lowndes 1365
8. James Courtney 1343
9. Lee Holdsworth 1200
10. Russell Ingall 1189
23. Jason Bright 700
Round Points
1. Garth Tander 272
2. Jamie Whincup 272
3. Will Davison 272
4. Rick Kelly 194
5. Craig Lowndes 190
6. Lee Holdsworth 184
7. Todd Kelly 160
8. Paul Dumbrell 152
9. Jason Bright 142
10. Mark Winterbo! ttom 138
RESULTS: Race Three
1. Garth Tander - 40 laps
2. Jamie Whincup
3. Lee Holdsworth
4. Will Davison
5. Rick Kelly
6. Craig Lowndes
7. Russell Ingall
8. Paul Dumbrell
9. Fabian Coulthard
10. Jason Bright
RESULTS: Race Two
1. Will Davison - 40 laps
2. Mark Winterbottom
3. Garth Tander
4. Jamie Whincup
5. Craig Lowndes
6. Rick Kelly
7. Lee Holdsworth
8. Jason Bright
9. James Courtney
10. Paul Dumbrell
RESULTS: Race One
1. Jamie Whincup - 40 laps
2. Will Davison
3. Garth Tander
4. Jason Richards
5. Steve Richards
6. Lee Holdsworth
7. Todd Kelly
8. Russell Ingall
9. Michael Caruso
10. James Courtney
20. J! ason Bright
RESULTS: Qualifying 1. Mark Winterbottom 1:22.9727
2. Jamie Whincup 1:23.3699
3. Will Davison 1:23.3950
4. Garth Tander 1:23.4144
5. Lee Holdsworth 1:23.4243
6. Steve Richards 1:23.4651
7. Michael Caruso 1:23.5305
8. Rick Kelly 1:23.6947
9. Shane Price 1:23.8438
10. Jason Richards 1:23.8438
20. Jason Bright
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