Stone Brothers Racing is ready for a challenge on enemy territory at this weekend’s round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Gold Coast-based team heading to Winton Motor Raceway, the test track for Melbourne-based V8 Supercar teams.
JELD-WEN Motorsport’s James Courtney is confident that a win is possible at Winton, the SBR driver looking to build on his third-place podium finish at Queensland Raceway just over a week ago.
Courtney, who claimed pole position and his first ever V8 Supercar race win at Queensland, says the Winton round will be tough for SBR but believes that the team is up to the job.
SBR has a mixed history at the Victorian track, last winning at the 3km circuit in 2003 with Marcos Ambrose. Results have been lean since then however the JELD-WEN Motorsport Falcon showed good pace last year to race through the pack into a top ten position.
Courtney’s team-mate SP Tools Racing’s Shane van Gisbergen will make his first appearance at Winton this weekend, this the last of the V8 Supercar Championship circuits that the 19-year-old has to learn.
Van Gisbergen, who has had some excellent results this season including two top five round finishes, struggled with a new car at Queensland Raceway but is looking forward to getting back on track and up to pace.
The JELD-WEN Motorsport and SP Tools Racing Falcons will be on track at 12:35pm for opening practice on Friday, followed by qualifying and race one on Saturday and races two and three on Sunday.
James Courtney, #4, JELD-WEN Motorsport “There is no reason why we can’t beat the Victorian teams at their home track. They were able to win at Queensland.
“It’s possible to fall into a rut at your home circuit. The conditions can be very different from when you test there and you can get caught out.”
“Getting a win will be tough but it is possible. With SBR’s recent success, confidence is high and we are looking to get on with it.”
“We are starting to pull a couple of good race weekends together. Consistency is the aim and we have it on our side at the moment.”
Shane van Gisbergen, #9, SP Tools Racing “Winton will be pretty tough for us but a good challenge. I think it will be the hardest track that I have had to learn this year; it looks pretty technical with so me slow corners and combinations of turns.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time on my hyper stimulator to familiarize myself with the track.”
“We have been over a lot of stuff with the new car since Queensland Raceway. We know that some of the problems were with the car and some were with me. We have worked hard on it and gone with a more traditional set up for Winton.”
“There’s also a good chance of rain down there so that would suit us; we are pretty quick in the wet.”
“I’m looking forward to getting back out there. It’s only been a week but I’m eager to make up for the Queensland result.”
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