Championship still in sight for Tander.

The Toll Holden Racing Team’s Garth Tander has reached the half way mark of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series just 122 points out of the points lead in his quest for back-to-back V8 titles.
Tander was fourth outright in today’s City of Ipswich 400 – the seventh of 14 rounds in this year’s championship – finishing fourth in all three of the 38 lap races that comprised the round.

“We struggled away all day and came home with two fourths to go yesterday. said Tander.

“Our situation was the opposite to Mark; we good speed early, but no tyre consistency at the end. We need to have a look at the new tyre and try to improve in time for Winton in a fortnight.”

Team-mate Mark Skaife finished the round seventh, the five-time series champion losing vital positions in an incident with Steven Richards early in Race 2 this morning – Skaife finishing today’s two races tenth and ninth respectively.

“Seventh overall for the round … it’s disappointing to be back there. siad Skaife.

“We had some dramas in Race 2 which put us back too far and our speed in the first segment on fresh tyres is not good enough. As a result our initial speed isn’t good enough.

“There’s some work for us to do before the next round, but Winton’s the Toll Holden Racing Team’s home race and our goal is to go and do a better than good job.”

Series points leader Mark Winterbottom won the round, his second win of the season, and stretched his lead over Tander by 52.

Supercheap Auto Racing’s Russell Ingall was the best of the Holden drivers, finishing second overall for the round – his best result since returning to the red side at season’s beginning.

James Courtney, winner of Race 1, claimed the last podium position.

Tander remains in second place on the points table, while Skaife moved two places forward to 14th.

The next round of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series will take place at Winton Motor Raceway near Benalla, Victoria in two weeks time.