Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall was fourth fastest in today’s opening practice at the SkyCity Triple Crown at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway today.
Team-mate James Courtney was the talk of the session however, rolling the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon at turn eight just 35 minutes into the practice session.
Courtney lost the rear of the SBR BF Falcon on entry to the left-hander, spinning 180 degrees before colliding with the tyre barrier and bouncing onto the roof.
The JELD-WEN Motorsport driver was unhurt in the incident, but it did put a premature end to his practice session.
A detailed assessment by the SBR crew found no structural problems with the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon. Suffering mainly panel damage, repairs to the number four car began immediately, ensuring that Courtney will be back on track for tomorrow’s qualifying session.
Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall had a steady session, making a late run in the two-and-a-half hour practice, jumping up to position four with only six minutes remaining.
Following the practice session, Ingall, the inaugural winner of the Darwin V8 Supercar event in 1998, took Northern Territory Chief Minister Clare Martin for a hot lap in the Caltex Racing Falcon.
Ingall and Courtney will be back on track at round six of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at 11:30am tomorrow for qualifying, followed by race one at 3:35pm.
Russell Ingall, car #9, Caltex Racing “We didn’t get as many laps in as we would have liked. We had a few dramas in the session with brakes and a starter motor going on the car.
“Once we got those sorted we had to shortcut a few other things.
“It leaves us guessing a little bit tomorrow. Do we play it safe and see if we are quick enough tomorrow or take the risk, make some changes and possibly go slower?
“At the moment the Caltex Racing Falcon is pretty good; I don’t think it’s good enough to be fastest but it’s quick enough to be in the top five.
“It’s a bit of a question mark but that’s not my decision, I’ll leave that to the experts and we’ll take it from there tomorrow. ”
James Courtney, car #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport “The JELD-WEN Falcon was running well today until the roll over.
“It wasn’t a big impact. It was a long spin and I washed most of the speed off spinning on the track before I got to the dirt.
“But there is not much run off there at turn eight and I just dug into the tyres and bounced over.
“It was a pretty pathetic effort for a roll over really.
“It’s disappointing to miss out on the rest of the session but the damage doesn’t look too bad. I could have driven it back if it landed on its wheels.
“We’ll get some new panels on it, kick the roof out and get back out there tomorrow. ”
Ross Stone, Team Manager, Stone Brothers Racing “Russell had a good run today, putting on new tyres at the end to be fourth fastest.
“Both cars were good out of the truck. The engines are strong; we were looking forward to stretching their legs on the long straight. The proof is there now, we’ve made some gains in speed.
“James was giving it a red hot go out there early and go a bit wobbly on entry into turn eight and had a roll-over.
“The only panels we will be racing with again tomorrow will be the front right guard and the roof which has had a lot of panel beating; every other panel will be new.
“There was no structural damage to we will do some preventative maintenance and make sure the JELD-WEN Falcon is right for tomorrow.
“Both cars will be in with a shot tomorrow. ”
| 
|