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Musical Chairs at QLD Raceway Test

Topics: Ford Performance Racing

Musical Chairs at QLD Raceway Test

Stone Brothers Racing
May 18, 2009

SBR were today able to provide FPR with comparative feedback after Mark Winterbottom completed 20 laps in the SP Tools Racing FG Falcon at Willowbank’s QLD Raceway.

With part two of the SBR and FPR test experiment completed both teams plan to use the data comparisons and driver feedback to perfect a competitive race package that should see both Ford supported teams reprise their winning ways.

It was a case of musical chairs for SBR at the QLD Raceway circuit when Winterbottom, Bright and McIntyre all had their time in the SBR FG Falcons. Teammates, van Gisbergen and Davison also swapped cars for a few laps to get a better understanding of one another’s preferred set-ups.

Shane van Gisbergen having just returned from a test with FPR at Victoria’s Winton Raceway earlier this week was keen to see what Mark had to say about the SBR Chassis.

Mark Winterbottom – Driver Orrcon Steel FPR Falcon #5

“You’re obviously used to your own car and how you’ve developed it but the SBR Falcon seems a pretty good car. It’s hard to pinpoint one area, but all in all it feels pretty nice straight up.

“SBR are good; most of the guys here were there when I ran with the team and helped start my career. It’s a walk back in time for me but that just makes it easier to drive a different car when it’s a team you already know quite well.”

Shane van Gisbergen – Driver SP Tools Racing Car #9

“It was interesting, having Mark, John, Jason and Alex all drive my car today. At one stage I was in Alex’s car driving laps and my car drove straight pass me which was pretty weird.

“Mark had some really good things to say about my car which proves we are really close to having a car worthy of race wins. We are heading to Tassie in the hunt for podiums so hopefully a little luck will go our way and the SP Tools Racing Falcon will finish strong.”

Ross Stone – SBR Team Principal

“I think these test days are a good start in working and moving forward with FPR. We have both been really open with one another which is the only way a relationship like this can work.

“Shane and Mark have both mentioned there are big positives in the opposing cars, both FPR and SBR are strong teams so the feedback from both drivers will only make us stronger.

“It was good to catch up with Mark. It’s been six years since he drove with us, he was a good driver then and is a good driver now.”

The test also proved to be a valuable day on track for IRWIN Racing’s Alex Davison as it was his first opportunity to spend a full day developing the new FG after bad weather cut the teams first official test day short.

Alex Davison – Driver IWRIN Racing Car #4

“Today’s test was pretty productive. The team have not been 100% happy with how the car has been handling so today was about making changes in order to improve the chassis and a race setup.

“Today was my first full day in the IRWIN Racing car so it was great to get heaps of laps in and make good progress when it came to changes.

“The FG is still relatively new to the series but we are at the stage as a team where we are understanding it a lot better.”

The days busy test schedule also included time in the driver’s seat for John McIntyre in both the SBR FG’s as part of his endurance season preparations. McIntyre was confirmed at the V8 Supercar Hamilton event as the first of the 2009 SBR Endurance drivers. The kiwi made his way across the Tasman on Tuesday to take part in the test and to have a seat fitted for the Phillip Island and Bathurst events.

John McIntyre – SBR Endurance Co-Driver

“I am just starting to really build up confidence again in these cars. It’s been nine months since I have driven a V8 Supercar so today was just about getting some laps in.

“I am really looking forward to the session in Tasmania, I will have better tyres to run on so it should be a good opportunity to build on my experience in the new FG in the lead up to September.”