Sunday 20th March
Race Wrap:
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
Race 4 – First
Overall – First
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
Race 4 – DNF
Overall – Sixth
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
“It was an awesome finish to the weekend. Great to have worked so closely with Grant (McPherson) to get the results we were after. It was a good change from yesterday. The first few laps I thought we were in a bit of trouble, it was an exciting few laps. But, I managed to pull ahead and fight the good fight. Our new set up gave us some really good speed, we had good grip in the tyres and drove away in the lead early on. Stoked to be a part of the team and have such a good weekend with great cars, I am looking forward to the next championship round.”
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
“We’re obviously really disappointed with the result today.We’ve worked hard all weekend to get the speed and results that we achieved over the last few days.There was a big bang a few laps in so we’re going to have to investigate what went wrong exactly but that meant the end of the race for us. There were some positives, we managed to find good speed over the last few days but it would have been great to get a result in front of this crowd today.”
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12:33pm – Bad news for J-Dub, coming to a complete stop at turn 11. “Something malfunctioned” said JW. #gameover
11:40pm – SVG leads the charge to be named the Coates Hire V8 Supercars Challenge winner as he has earned the most combined points from the weekend’s three races so far at the AGP.
While not a championship round, there is a shiny trophy for the highest earner across the weekend. #trophygoals
11:32am – Just under an hour until we hit the track for the final 12 lap race. Needless to say, we are on a high from the last two days, what will this race hold?
9:59am – Melbourne has finally delivered and given us sunshine for the final day of the AGP. It’s still a bit too cold for us Brisbanites, but we will happily deal with it over the absence of rain! #pleasenomorerain #wedontwantanotherclipsalsunday
Saturday 19th March
Race Wrap:
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
Race 3 – First
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
Race 3 – Second
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
“Great race. We started in P3 in the pack and pushed our way to the front. The car wasn’t so good yesterday, but obviously great today.The weather was the hardest part, it was raining towards the back of the circuit, and it’s hard to be the pioneer in those sort of conditions. Thankfully we all got through and scored another top three for the team. It’s been a good weekend of racing so far, let’s wait and see what tomorrow brings.”
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
“It wasn’t as good as the last race, we tried to change a few things and we went a little backwards, but still being one, two, three is great result. My car just wasn’t as good as it had been. I am getting more and more comfortable in it, it’s quick, but it didn’t align today. The weather was tricky, I was struggling with the car to get a balance. Jamie passed me, I just couldn’t run with him, I was sliding around a lot. But as I said, it’s still a great result seeing our second triple lockout. ”
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4:30pm – Our second triple lock out! J-Dub bringing home the goods in P1, SVG coming in P2 and our mate Lowndesy securing P3. #unbeataBULL
1:09pm – Current points tally for the AGP. Race three will kick off this afternoon –
1st – Shane Van Gisbergen – 150 points ( Race 1 – 75, Race 2 – 75)
2nd – Jamie Whincup – 133 points (Race 1 – 69, Race 2 – 64)
11:40am – The boys paid a visit to the Iveco display on track, popping in to make sure they are looking after our Sandman!
8.21am – A later start for us today as we hit the track at 3.20pm. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on!
Two chances to meet the drivers today, starting over at merch tent at 11.10am, followed by a visit to the Iveco display at 11.40am.
Friday 18th March
Race Wrap:
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
Race 1 – Second (Fastest Lap: 1:58.4381)
Race 2 – Third (Fastest Lap: 1:58.4445)
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
Race 1 – First (Fastest Lap: 1:58.4288)
Race 2 – First (Fastest Lap: 1:57.7184)
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
“A huge moment for the team! I raced as hard as I could, but the car wasn’t quite there and I wasn’t really in the groove either. It’s just as much my fault as the car’s fault. It’s still a good weekend so far, we just have to keep our head down and try to maintain it. The weather didn’t create too much havoc; it could have, but we were on a full dry setup and went well.”
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
“Awesome day! The first race we really had to work for it, we had a good car and got through to the front with some great moves. The second race was awesome, we made some improvements to the car and changed a few things. The track was iffy at the start, but once it came up to temperature I floored it. The car was amazing, we pulled a gap, but more importantly to be one, two, three is awesome. It shows how good the car is and how well the team is doing.”
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6:53pm – That’s how it’s done! Triple Eight Race Engineering takes home their first 1, 2, 3 finish. SVG claiming his second win for the day with JW coming in P3. RD will sleep well tonight!
4.31pm – RBRA Overheard – J-Dub ready to race – “Getting prepared for a race is all about good sleep, plenty of fluid and a can of Red Bull five minutes before the flag drops.”
3:01pm – One-two finish! SVG taking home the gold with J-Dub coming in a close second. #unbeataBULL
1:27pm – With a warning from the V8 Supercars High Powers via the Formula 1 Even Higher Powers, we’re all preparing for a surprise starting procedure and shortened races due to the F1 practice sessions running over time. Tick tock, what could we have in store?
11:10am – We are calling it; we have the coolest driver’s room on track. A perfect area for when the boys just want to…space out…
Thursday 17th March
Race Wrap:
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
Practice 1 – 11th (Fastest Lap: 1:59.9620)
Practice 2 – 10th (Fastest Lap: 1:57.5136)
Qualifying – First (Fastest Lap: 1:56.5634)
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
Practice 1 – Second (Fastest Lap: 1:58.9557)
Practice 2 – Second (Fastest Lap: 1:57.0973)
Qualifying – Fifth (Fastest Lap: 1:56.7117)
Jamie Whincup – Car #88
“Really happy with today’s result. A lot of guess work went on in the beginning in regards to tyres, we just had to get the car right. Cauchi did a great job, we have given ourselves the best opportunity for the upcoming races.
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
“We were in and amongst it all day in the sessions. We qualified fifth, which isn’t great, but we are so close to the front. I feel great in the car, the car went really well, we just didn’t get it. Hopefully we can push forward tomorrow for an awesome day.”
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5:37pm – This is J-Dubs’ maiden pole at AGP.
5:30pm – J-Dub takes P1 ahead of tomorrows race 1! SVG takes home P5. #unbeataBULL
3:15pm – Practice 2 results – SVG P2, J-Dub P10.
2:34pm – RBRA Overheard – SVG being a team player – “I can’t believe how helpful it is to have team mates again. The car was a little bit difficult to drive for me on the Friday of Clipsal, so to be able to ask the other drivers and engineers about their car was very helpful and assisted us moving forward.”
1:24pm – Practice 1 results – SVG P2, J-Dub P11.
12:04am – SVG chatting to Daniil Kvyat and showing him the insides of car #97.
10:16am – Jamie Whincup – “We came out to Sandown Raceway for a session with Daniel Ricciardo to give him a look at our V8 Supercars world with the Triple Eight Sandman and we definitely let it rip.”
9:30am – Daniel Ricciardo races into Australian Grand Prix with Jamie Whincup.
8:00am – RBRA Overheard – J-Dub on Breakfast – “Only being five minutes from Melbourne’s CBD means I can enjoy my usual poached eggs and smashed avocado on Turkish bread in some of the world’s best cafés.” We like your thinking J-Dub! #yum
Wednesday 16th March
3:01pm – We’ve landed at the AGP. #unbeataBULL
10:11am – How many stickers are on one of our cars you ask? From what Sticker Master Mitch has counted, we are told about 80 decals in total!
Tuesday 15th March
1:00pm – The Twittersphere has spoken – Our AGP hashtag is #unbeataBULL. Use this hashtag across the weekend to stay in the conversation on both Twitter and Instagram.
8:53am – RBRA Overheard – SVG on the AGP – “It’s a pretty relaxed weekend off track for us but on track, even though it’s not for points, there are still trophies and prize money up for grabs, so we race flat out. The layout of the track creates action and the short races mean you don’t have long to get a pass done! Also, being the first F1 race of the season, it’s cool to walk down to the F1 pitlane and see all the new cars and teams.”
Monday 14th March
3:41pm – RBRA Overheard – J-Dub daydreaming – “I would love to drive Spa-Francorchamps. Most of my mates have had the privilege to race there and they say it’s fantastic. Elevation always makes for a great track which is a big part of why our very own Bathurst is so special.”
1:40pm – Head over to our Twitter to vote for our AGP hashtag ahead of the weekend. #unbeataBULL #melbullGP #bullfamilyreunion
10:00am – FUN FACT – Jamie Whincup now holds the record for most podium finishes in Australian Touring Car Championship/V8 Supercars history. His two podiums at the Clipsal 500 took him to a total of 152.
7:49am – Did you know our sticker master Mitch had to re-sticker the front bar, bonnet, headlights, front guards, sills, rear bar ends, rear bar centre and side mirror covers on car #88 and car #97 after the Clipsal 500. The cars are both having the same sticker treatment EXCEPT car #97’s front right-hand door. It is also being re-stickered because it got gouged during Saturday’s race two (whoops!).
Sunday 13th March
4:12pm – RBRA Overheard – SVG on F1 circuits – “I am lucky enough to have driven on a couple of the current F1 circuits. Of the ones I have driven Spa Francorchamps is definitely number one! The one that I would love to drive though would be Monaco. It looks like it would be an awesome street track! Maybe one day… ”
3:30pm – Bye Wazza! Only 1,674 kms between you and the Australian Grand Prix. #whereswazza
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THE STATS:
Australian Grand Prix – Albert Park Circuit
Circuit length: 5.303km
Circuit direction: clockwise
Average speed: 164km/h
Maximum speed: 265km/h
Fastest point: Front Straight
Slowest point: Turn 15
2015
JW | SVG | |
Qualifying | 9th | 5th |
Race 1 | 6th | 4th |
Race 2 | 5th | 3rd |
Race 3 | 6th | 3rd |
Race 4 | 5th | 3rd |
Overall | 5th | 3rd |
Championship standings
1st – Michael Caruso, 222 points
2nd – Jamie Whincup, 207 points
3rd – Shane van Gisbergen, 197 points
4th – Scott McLaughlin, 189 points
5th – Garth Tander, 187 points
1st – RBRA, 404 points
2nd –HRT, 388 points
3rd – Nismo, 352 points
4th – PRA, 349 points
5th – GRM, 285 points