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“Thank goodness that all happened. Now we can get on with business”
That was Mark Skaife’s reaction post race after securing his first round victory of the year earlier this month at Eastern Creek.
Skaife’s 38th round win saw him pass the decade long 37 win record held by legend Peter Brock.
“It took a while coming, but it was fantastic when it did – it was great, ” Skaife said.
“It was also great for the Holden Racing Team to chalk up a one-two result, the first time we’d done that since Oran Park five years ago.
“This is good value for us with tracks coming up that really suit our cars – Hidden Valley in particular.
“With Todd and myself third and fifth on the results table, we need to keep chipping away and pile up the points to catch the HSV Holdens in front of us.
“Both our VE Commodores have now recorded race wins on their first outings, which must be some sort of first.
“My new car, VE05, went excellently out of the box at Eastern Creek and there’s no reason why it can’t do the same in Darwin.
“It’s amazing how things turn around. The Winton round last month was my worst ever result and three weeks later its victory in Sydney.
“It only goes to prove that you’re only as good as your last race, ” Skaife said.
Skaife’s HRT team-mate, Todd Kelly says the next few rounds will prove critical to his championship chances.
“A large points haul is essential in Darwin and other races leading up to the enduros to make up ground on brother Rick.
“I’ve had a couple of round wins at Darwin and another one would go down well. The VE Commodore has been great all year and it would be good to carry on from the last race win at Eastern Creek, ” Kelly said.
“Some warmth into the bones will not go astray, although its harder for us Victorians to acclimatise up north than the Queensland teams.
“HRT has always been competitive in Darwin but you need to be smart with brakes and tyres.
“Strong horsepower is essential to negotiate the front straight or you get left behind real quick, ” he said.
