By far the best performance of the year has secured the Fujitsu Racing team of Jason Bright and Adam Macrow eighth starting spot for tomorrow’s L&H 500 V8 Supercar round at Victoria’s Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit.
The highlight of the day was Bright’s third place finish in the opening qualifying race.
Macrow drove a steady race to finish 22nd in a race that included a compulsory tyre stop.
The Fujitsu Falcon has not missed a beat all weekend, with Bright setting times well inside the top-10, including third quickest in his segment of qualifying.
“The weekend is far from over, but we are extremely happy with where we are right now,” said Bright.
“For this weekend we have introduced engine updates and some other changes, so this is not flash in the pan stuff. Plus we have more things in development that will come on-line for Bathurst and beyond.”
“The car is really driving well out of the corners and it is nice to hit the engine limiter on the straights!”
“Importantly the car is very comfortable to drive and that will be all-important over 500-kilometres of racing.”
“Our strategy in the qualifying races worked well, but we feel we can go even better tomorrow.”
Macrow was pleased with his time in the car, diligently following the team plan throughout the weekend.
“The most important thing is that I am comfortable in the car,” said Macrow.
“The boys have done a great job and I can’t fault the car in the sessions I’ve had behind the wheel.”
“Although we had a race today, it’s really about tomorrow. I have a job to do and I’ll take on whatever role the guys have mapped out for me.”
“There is confidence in the team and we feel that something special can happen tomorrow afternoon.”
Fujitsu Racing Chief Engineer Geoff Slater was happy with the day, but is fully aware of the challenge ahead.
“Great start, but it really is about where we end up tomorrow,” said Slater.
“Full credit to all the boys. We have introduced a new engine package this weekend and the improvements have not ended there. We have really used the six week break to our advantage and it has been very pleasing to hit the track running.
“The car is very strong and we are confident up it is up to a 500-kilometre test tomorrow afternoon.”
RESULTS: Qualifying Session A
1 #6 Mark Winterbottom 1:33.4117
2 #888 Craig Lowndes 1:33.7058
3 #25 Jason Bright 1:33.8180
4 #111 Fabian Coulthard 1:33.8525
5 #17 Steve Owen 1:33.9063
6 #15 Rick Kelly 1:33.9633
7 #1 Mark Skaife 1:34.0875
8 #18 Steven Johnson 1:34.0999
9 #3 Greg Murphy 1:34.1965
10 #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:34.2222
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