[V8SC10R17] L&H500, Phillip Island

[GTRMagic]

The first of the enduros are upon us, some 9 weeks away, and the sport will be a hive of activity in the international sport-induced break

New chassis are being built, old ones refined, engine updates, new sponsors are brought aboard, pilots are re-evaluated for next season & beyond (and maybe even after the enduros)

So, what does the line up look like?

#	REC	Car	Engine	Preparer	Sponsor	Model	Driver	L&H 500 Co-Driver
1	888	888	KRE	888	Vodafone	Commodore	J.Whincup	S.Owen
2	WP	HRT	WP	WP	Toll	Commodore	G.Tander	C.McConville
3	TDR	WP	WP	TDR	Centaur	Commodore	T.D’Alberto	S.Price
4	SBR	SBR	SBR	SBR	Irwin Tools	Falcon	A.Davison	D.Brabham
5	FPR	FPR	FPR	FPR	Orrcon	Falcon	M.Winterbottom	L.Youlden
6	FPR	FPR	FPR	FPR	Dunlop	Falcon	S.Richards	J.Moffat
7	KR	KR	KR	KR	Jack Daniels	Commodore	T.Kelly	G.Seton
8	BJR	WP	NES	BJR	BOC	Commodore	J.Richards	A.Jones
9	SBR	SBR	SBR	SBR	SP Tools	Falcon	S.van Gisbergen	J.McIntyre
10	WP	WP	WP	WP	Bundaberg Rum	Commodore	A.Thompson	N.Percat
11	PE	KR	KR	KR	Rock Energy	Commodore	J.Bargwanna	TBC
12	FFF	888	KRE	FFF	BMC	Falcon	D.Fiore	M.Patrizi
14	BJR	WP	NES	BJR	Trading Post	Commodore	J.Bright	M.Halliday
15	KR	KR	KR	KR	Jack Daniels	Commodore	R.Kelly	O.Kelly
16	PE	KR	KR	KR	Stratco	Commodore	T.Ricciardello	TBC
17	DJR	888	DJR	DJR	Jim Beam	Falcon	S.Johnson	W.Luff
18	DJR	888	DJR	DJR	Jim Beam	Falcon	J.Courtney	M.Marshall
19	Tekno	888	DJR	DJR	Mother	Falcon	J.Webb	D.Russell
21	Britek	WP	NES	BJR	Fair Dinkum Sheds	Commodore	K.Reindler	D.Wall
22	WP	HRT	WP	WP	Toll	Commodore	W.Davison	C.Baird
24	WP	WP	WP	WP	Bundaberg Rum	Commodore	F.Coulthard	D.Reynolds
30	LDM	WP	WP	LDR	Gulf Western Oils	Commodore	M.Noske	N.Pretty
33	GRM	GRM	WP	GRM	Fujitsu	Commodore	L.Holdsworth	D.Besnard
34	GRM	GRM	WP	GRM	Fujitsu	Commodore	M.Caruso	G.Ritter
39	PMM	888	KRE	PMM	SuperCheap	Commodore	R.Ingall	P.Morris
47	JRR	SBR	SBR	SBR	Wilson Security	Falcon	T.Slade	J.Perkins
51	PMM	888	KRE	PMM	Castrol EDGE	Commodore	G.Murphy	T.Blanchard
55	RNR	FPR	FPR	FPR	Bottle O	Falcon	P.Dumbrell	D.Canto
888	888	888	KRE	888	Vodafone	Commodore	C.Lowndes	M.Skaife
TBC	Wild	BJR	BJR	Adrenaline	Zemana	Falcon	A.Russell	D.Russell
TBC	Wild	Tasman	GMR	GMR	Zemana	Commodore	G.Emery	TBC
TBC	Wild	FPR	FPR	MWM	TBC	Falcon	TBC	TBC
TBC	Wild	888	KRE	Sieders	TBC	Falcon	C.Sieders	D.Sieders

Perhaps a couple of these slots will change, we can update on the run as the balance of power (or the bank ) adjusts in the winds of change...

My pick.. #888 Lowndes/Skaife..

Lets see huh

[chavez]

The 500's back at Sandown?

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by chavez

The 500's back at Sandown?

Ah I wish it were...

[sizzle]

Yawn, by the time this comes around it will seem like another season. That is if anyone remembers who the V8s are by then.

[FPV8U]

Personally with the Form Owen has had in the Fujitsu series in that POS VE, i would consider the #1 car line-up the fastest if they can hold it all together.

Half of some of the combinations will be quick..

Tander in the #2, Frosty in the #5 & if the weather is a bit questionable that #9 could come from nowhere like in 2008.

At the end of the day the so-so co drivers only have to give it to the good driver for the last stint, like Skaife/Tander 2008...

My Tip..

The FPR Machine to keep on rolling them.

[STEVO]

Any reason why Kelly Racing, who still have 2 seats to fill, haven't snapped up Daniel Gaunt yet?

Fresh V8 miles, good finishing record, sensible lap times, they could do a lot worse.

Bargwanna/Gaunt could be a handy combo for a Top 10 (assuming Seton's not paired with Jason)

[F J Nedos]

I am wondering if there is the possibility of still some teams putting their main drivers in one car.

Mainly directed at the teams who's drivers have no hope of winning the championship, therefore there's nothing to lose with one of them surrendering points?

Surely you'd be putting yourself in a competitive advantage if others have a part timer in the car, particularly at bathurst.

For me, if I were the below teams, I would consider it:

• HRT - Mr Davison ain't winning this year's championship. It will help Garth a lot if they could repeat last year;
• GRM - the part timers did a great job last year, so why change it? That model gives them the best chance of success I reckon;
• DJR - Mr Johnson, as a regular driver, would be best paired with Mr Courtney. They'd be a hard combo to beat up there (Bathurst that is);
• FPR - Dare I say it, and I know it goes against everything that nature can throw at you, but BPB would be at least a better choice for Bathurst for frosty. Perhaps BPB could be in car 5 for bathurst but not PI?

Why won't they do it?

• They wouldn't conform to the desired regulations. We cannot have rebels now can we...
• Some teams want maximum points for teams championships - pit positions the following year, qualifying order of cars on track... But seriously, who is going to beat 888 in the teams championships? Most other teams have only 1 driver with serious points;
• Sponsor conflicts - obviously some teams have different liveries for two cars in one team. Hasn't been an issue in the past, but I bet it will be an excuse used now.

I was also thinking, albiet briefly, that the grand slam might have something to do with it. But only Garth can get it, so thats a mute point. Kind of. Bathurst is part of it (yes?), so wouldn't he want the maximum chances to pop a cool 2 mill? Mr Davison, you are driving here sunshine.

So with this in mind, my opinions on the enduros (500 included) is that they are weakened by not letting the teams decide which drivers drive their own cars, yet the rules enforce multiple drivers for the one car.

The only saving grace with the 500 (and I wish it was still at Sandown too), is that the part timers only need to do one stint.

I think car 888 and 39 could be dark horses. However, assuming there isnt mass carneage and/or rain, you can assume the normal protaganists will fight it out at the top.

What a shame the 500 and bathurst are part of the championship... whoa I know thats a story for another thread

[Axeman444]

Originally Posted by F J Nedos

The only saving grace with the 500 (and I wish it was still at Sandown too), is that the part timers only need to do one stint.

are they still doing the single driver only races on the saturday?

[GTRMagic]

Is Mr Owen a risk? Article Here suggests he isnt, but someone must have prompted the negative thoughts.

Its not quite humble either...

[Spiller]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Is Mr Owen a risk? Article Here suggests he isnt, but someone must have prompted the negative thoughts.

Its not quite humble either...

Following his progress over the last few years I thought Owen came across a touch arrogant too. However having worked with him in the Commodore Cup enduro, I found out he is actually just a bit shy and not realy into the whole interview/publicity thing - Not great if you want to be a top tier driver but it's something he could be trained in at least.

Whenever someone came to interview or asked him something that was to be used as a quote he sort-of clammed up and wasn't himself, around anyone else he was quite relaxed and quiet, and just enjoying the chance to drive the car - He didn't request anything unless we prompted him for what he wanted, his view was that it was the other drivers car and it should be made to suit him.

Knowing him now, I would say that that article is him admitting fault and saying "I stuffed up", A basic apoligy and saying I hope not to make the same mistake again and shouldn't given the cars in the main game are not as varied as those in the Fujitsu series. I can tell you this though, He lapped quickest in every session he was in the car and it was a touch down on torque for the weekend. Pretty good considering he sat in the car for the first time on the Friday in very wet conditions.

I may be biased in that opinion though. For my picks, its hard to go past both 888 Cars, the #18 car and I'd pick #33 as the dark horse, with #17 having some potential too. Prior to last weekend I would have said #5 but Youlden really didn't impress me too much in the MW ex FPR BF.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

Is Mr Owen a risk? Article Here suggests he isnt, but someone must have prompted the negative thoughts.

Its not quite humble either...

Some people say he is hard to work with, usually where there is lots of smoke there is fire, but no question he is a good driver.

People skills can be coached. I've seen shy or not talkative people before get classed as "arrogant" and then when people get to know them the story changes and they realize they are good company. Some people don't wear their every emotion and thought on their sleeve.

[Average Punter]

“It was my mistake and there’s not much I can do about it now.”

"...at the end of the day it’s still my fault."

Sounds pretty humble to me. I think some of you blokes are going off half-cocked.

Note that the bit about him having the ability to brake late wasn't a quote either, just an interpretation from the journalist

[GTRMagic]

Adrenaline withdraws wildcard entry

And so they were 32....

[jason7253]

Does any one know what supports are have seen Superbikes and utes is there any thing else? Taking family to melbourne for school holidays and I got sunday off and am heading down, i have never been to PI before any tips on viewing?

[Scrut]

Originally Posted by jason7253

Does any one know what supports are have seen Superbikes and utes is there any thing else? Taking family to melbourne for school holidays and I got sunday off and am heading down, i have never been to PI before any tips on viewing?

According to the sup regs on the V8 Supercar website the supports are-

Utes
Minis
Superbikes
Supersports ????