Scott McLaughlin takes first Volvo win of 2016
Scott McLaughlin claimed the first victory of 2016 for the Garry Rogers Motorsport Volvo in the first race of the V8 Supercars weekend at Phillip Island, winning the race 1.2 seconds ahead of multiple champion Jamie Whincup’s Triple Eight Holden.
“The guys gave me a great car – I’m jut so stoked, it’s been so tough the last year or so. [Glad] to repay the guys in a big way. I’m so stoked, I wanted to do a burnout so bad but they wouldn’t let me!” said McLaughlin to v8supercars.com.au.
The win was McLaughlin’s and Volvo’s first since Phillip Island in 2014.
The Kiwi started from pole position and headed the field into the first corner, a lead he was never to lose.
Prodrive Racing Australia driver Chaz Mostert held second place initially, but was passed by Whincup during the pit stop.
Things went from bad to worse for Mostert as he suffered a front-right puncture on the very last lap, dropping him from third to 23rd.
DJR Team Penske driver Fabian Coulthard inherited third position after making his way past Triple Eight’s Shane Van Gisbergen, Prodrive’s Mark Winterbottom and Triple Eight driver Craig Lowndes who finished behind him in positions four, five and six.
James Moffat made it two Volvos in the top ten in seventh position, recording his so far best finish with the team.
Brad Jones driver Tim Slade, Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander and Slade’s BJR team-mate Jason Bright rounded off the top ten.
