The fastest V8 Supercar driver around Bahrain International Circuit in the inaugural round there last year, championship contender Garth Tander, believes teams and drivers who best adapt to the unique, low-grip Bahrain International Circuit will emerge at the front in next weekend’s Desert 400.
Tander, who set the pace with a blistering qualifying lap of 1 min. 24.03 sec. and went on to win Race 2 by a whopping 12 seconds, says the combination of low-grip surface and unique 3.6km track layout requires drivers to modify their driving style.
His team-mate and fellow championship contender, Rick Kelly, agrees, describing the track as “very technical, a great challenge for drivers”.
While the Toll HSV Dealer Team clearly has a good handle on the track, both drivers believe that all teams will have done their home-work since last year’s opening round at the desert circuit, and will be ready to push the envelope.
Tander and Kelly will be looking for a seamless run in the Desert 400 as they attempt to chase down the championship leader Jamie Whincup.
Tander, who narrowed Whincup’s lead to just nine points with a gutsy win at Surfers Paradise last round, believes the Bahrain round was one that got away last year.
Fastest in qualifying and the Shootout, Tander looked to have the round in his control after his massive win in Race 2. However, a jump start from pole position that resulted in a drive-through penalty plunged him to the back of the field in Race 3. He managed to fight back to eighth in the race and third place for the round behind Jason Bright and Todd Kelly.
Defending champion Rick Kelly, who is fourth in the championship, 35 points behind Whincup, also was one of the pacesetters in the Bahrain event last year, qualifying third on the grid.
But he too came unstuck when, on the congested first corner of Race 2, James Courtney closed the door on Kelly’s #1 Commodore, causing a bent steering arm and punctured tyre.
Like Tander, was forced to the back field to start over in Race 3, working his way up to a creditable fifth place.
The Desert 400 will be held over three races on Friday and Saturday.
#16 Garth Tander: “I enjoy the circuit. It suits my driving style and suits the way we set our car up. But it is still only the second time we have been there, so no doubt a lot of people would have looked at what they did last year and evolved their set ups. So, it is still going a tough weekend. The surface of the track is a lot different to what we are used to in terms of grip. The way that it offers us grip is also a lot different to what we expected – a lot more slippery than we thought it was going to be. You really need to adapt your driving style. That’s why I think it suits my driving style. Just the way I drive the car seems to work on that type of surface. As far as the championship goes, we just have to keep on finishing in front of the Vodafone guys – simple as that. ”
#1 Rick Kelly: “Bahrain is a very different style of track, and I am looking forward to it. It is very technical, a great challenge for the drivers. It also has a very different surface requiring a different set-up – one which our team got on top of in 2006. Apart from that, it is just great to race in such a different and exciting location. There are still plenty of points to be had in the championship, and I intend to push them all the way. ”
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