HRT
takes home track advantage to Island finale
Press Release
The Holden Racing Team will arrive at Phillip Island for the final round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series later this week with renewed confidence following a productive shakedown last Thursday which put the finishing touches to a comprehensive testing program at the track this year.
Team owner Mark Skaife, a three-time winner at Phillip Island (1999, 2001, 2002), said it was a top priority to win the final round of the Series and retain the coveted Manufacturer’s Championship for Holden.
“Holden and Ford have each won six rounds this year, and the Holden Racing Team has contributed three of those wins for Holden,” he said. “It would be appropriate and fitting for us to be the team that brings the cup home for Holden.”
He said he and co-driver Todd Kelly had spent many hours pounding around the coastal circuit in varying weather conditions and would be able to quickly adapt to anything the Island might dish up this weekend.
“This is our home track, and no-one likes to get beaten at home,” he said. “It’s a point of pride for us that we do well this weekend, given that we have spent so much time here over so many years.”
Skaife said he had put behind him the disappointment of the previous round in Tasmania – in which he finished 16th – to look ahead to the Island and begin preparations for 2006.
“People who know me, know I don’t spend too much time dwelling on the past,” he said. “What’s done is done and now we’re moving forward and looking to finish this year on a high.”
Kelly, who has won three rounds in the best season of his career, was also upbeat about his chances.
“My best result at Phillip Island is 2nd (in 2002) so I’m pretty keen to get a win under my belt after all the testing miles we’ve done around here,” he said.
“I don’t think anyone should look at the Tasmanian round and say ‘they can’t win’ because we qualified strongly there and just went the wrong way on brake set-up, as did a few others.”
Skaife said that throughout his career he has consistently rated the Phillip Island circuit as his second-favorite track, behind only the legendary Mt Panorama at Bathurst where he and Kelly triumphed this year.
“The Island is a great track and we’re very lucky to be able to test regularly there,” he said.
“It’s certainly one of the most challenging circuits we race at with its long, flowing corners and variable weather conditions.
“Every time we’ve been testing there with other teams this year, our times have consistently been in the top bracket. Given a straight run at it, we’re pretty sure we can be quick out of the truck and be thereabouts all weekend.
“I honestly can’t wait to get down there and give it a good shake. I’m looking forward to going down there and having some fun.”.