The Red Bull Holdens have got off to a flying start at Phillip Island, with Craig and Jamie setting the fastest two times of today’s three practice sessions respectively.
Lowndesy, who holds the record for the most pole positions here with five, set a time of 1.30.6899 in the last session of the day, his teammate closing the gap in the dying moments to finish with a personal best of 1.30.7437.
“It’s great to be back at the Phillip Island Circuit 12 months after it’s been resurfaced because it’s had time to settle and all the drivers are having a chance to get their heads around it now,” Craig said.
“We’re happy with the speed we are getting out of the car but we’re keeping an eye on the wind direction because it makes a big difference at this track. Our focus this weekend will be making the car as fast as possible and trying to keep up the front of the pack and out of trouble so we give ourselves the best opportunity of coming second in the championship.”
Jamie started the day with an excursion into the gravel at on his first lap of the first session as he was adjusting to the high-speed, flowing nature of the Victorian circuit.
“It’s a fast track here at Phillip Island and it’s such a different circuit to Bathurst and Gold Coast, it’s flat, wide and open, so it takes a bit of time to get your heard around it,” he said.
“The car set up was very good today but I’m not sure how much dry running we’ll get this weekend so we’ll be doing most of our homework tonight on a wet weather set up. The rain should make things a bit more exciting but it’s the same for everyone so we’ll do what we do best and race hard in whatever conditions are thrown at us.
“We’re in a fortunate position in the championship but I’m not a greedy person so if I’m one point ahead in the final race of the season, I’m a happy man.”
Tune in tomorrow from 11.50am AEDT for two qualifying sessions and two 100km races as we return to the Super Sprint format for the last time this year.
