Hard Fought Battle Sees TeamVodafone Top Five in Opening Hamilton Race

Date: 21st April, 2012

TeamVodafone’s Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes had their work cut out for them in today’s opening 200km V8 Supercar race at the Hamilton ITM400.

Fighting from fourth on the grid, Whincup kept the pressure on his opponents, gaining two positions to finish second while teammate Craig Lowndes also charged up the order to take the chequered flag fourth.

Whincup, who started the 59-lap race on the hard compound tyres, got a good start and managed his tyres well, maintaining fourth until Lap-8 of the race when he pit to change to soft tyres. 

With pitlane holding more grip than Whincup anticipated, he stalled the #1 Commodore and endured an additional eight-seconds in the pits.

Regaining momentum, Whincup kept the pressure on Garth Tander over the closing laps and eventually passed the HRT driver for second place with four laps to go.

Lowndes made a strong start to the day, qualifying second. The team gambled on a change in tyre strategy for the Top Ten Shootout, which coupled with the changing track conditions, affected the balance of the #888 Commodore.

Starting from eighth on the grid, Lowndes’ strategy changed to one of efficiency. An early pitstop on Lap-6 major role in his attack and saw Lowndes gain four positions.

Lowndes then worked to conserve fuel, aided by the safety car periods, the #888 Commodore moving into fourth position on lap 52.

The V8 Supercar Championship Series will be back on track for Qualifying at 12.05pm (NZST) tomorrow ahead of the final Hamilton ITM400 race at 3.05pm (NZST). 

For regular news and updates, head to www.teamvodafone.com.au  

ENDS

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