1800 We finally got a word in with the drivers, and here’s what they had to say:
Jamie Whincup – Car #1
Practice 3 – Second (Fastest Lap: 1:09.0801)
Qualifying – Sixth (Fastest Lap: 1:08.7657)
Race 1 – Fourth
“Qualifying was surprising, the car felt great and (David) Cauchi (Car #1 Race Engineer) tuned it really well, it was as balanced and as quick as it has been all weekend. Unfortunately there were just five other guys that did a great job and went really fast. We had P6 to start the race, but the story was that we just got another shocking start, which really affected me. We’re just going to go through everything tonight, change the clutch and change all of the parts and see what happens tomorrow. During the race, we were stuck in the pack and we didn’t have that much pace, I would’ve liked more pace in the car so we’ll try and tune that up overnight. Our race strategy stuck behind Rick (Kelly) in the Nissan for half the race wasn’t good, so thankfully we could jump him in the pits and we were able to push on and take fourth. It was a great team result overall with a second, third and a fourth, we will certainly take that and hopefully one of us can go one better tomorrow.”
Shane van Gisbergen – Car #97
Practice 3 – Fifth (Fastest Lap: 1:09.1817)
Qualifying – Eighth (Fastest Lap: 1:08.9565)
Race 1 – Second
“We thought we were in a good place going in to qualifying, the cars have been quick all weekend but in qualifying we just struggled to hook it up. We tried a few things to rectify it and we were sixth, eighth and tenth so it was a universal battle. We were good in the race, we had a great first lap, a good start with some good first few corners. It’s been a weakness until Darwin but we’ve worked on it, changed it up and it’s taken a bit for it to happen but today it was good. Throughout the race, we had some good battles along the way but unfortunately by the time we got through Scotty (McLaughlin) was ahead. I would’ve loved to have fought Scotty but they were definitely better today. Apart from coming second, I really enjoyed the race, we had a great day and we made the car better overall. We just need to qualify better tomorrow and take it to them and I feel like we can.”
1710 Well that was fun, some damn good battles and we’ve come out with a second for SVG and fourth for J-Dub. AND our mate Lowndesy secured a podium with third. We’re happy with that!
1620 Woah, talk about an epic start! SVG goes from P8 to P3 in under 30 seconds.
How to start a motor race.
By @shanevg97.#VASC pic.twitter.com/LzR201xByq
— Supercars (@supercars) July 21, 2018
1610 Race 19 is set to begin and Triple Eight have taken somewhat of a left-hand lockout with P6 (J-Dub), P8 (SVG) and our mate Lowndesy in P10. Follow us Lowndesy 😉
1345 Qualifying started and finished, just like that…
Dayum… Qualifying not our forté today. J-Dub goes P6 and SVG P8 for this afternoon’s race #vasc #redbullholden
— Red Bull Holden (@redbullholden) July 21, 2018
1200 Practice is well underway. J-Dub has maintained some great pace holding P1 for most of the session. And then, he decides to practice a start, from the wrong side of the pit exit lights. Doh!
You had one job… 🤦♂️ #vasc #redbullholden https://t.co/oLznFrSrud
— Red Bull Holden (@redbullholden) July 21, 2018
0700 Back in the ‘Swich for the serious stuff now… We’re heading out for a Supercars Super Track Walk in an hour, be sure to join us.
