FPR drivers recover from a bad start

FPR drivers Mark Winterbottom and Steve Richards have shown true fighting spirit to record a solid result in the Gulf Air Desert 400, round 12 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, in the Kingdom of Bahrain this weekend.
After being involved in a race one incident with championship rival Garth Tander, Mark Winterbottom showed tremendous poise and pace to charge his way from 21st to fourth position during the second 32-lap race.

This effort ensured that Winterbottom remained in contention for the championship and had him well placed for the final race of the round at the Bahrain International Circuit aboard the #5 Orrcon FPR Falcon.

During the final encounter Winterbottom held down third position in the early part of the race. He was then engaged in an intriguing battle with Russell Ingall for the majority of the race before crossing the line fourth to claim seventh overall for the round.

“After the disappointment of race one I really decided to attack in race two and the car responded well to everything I asked it to do,” said Winterbottom.

“Our strategy was to stay out longer and with the help of some clear track and good speed clear air we were able to jump a lot of cars. As a result of pitting late we had good rubber at the end and got a few more spots.

“It would have been nice to gain another couple of spots in the final race, but the sharp end of the field is pretty tough to beat.

“Seventh overall doesn’t sound all that good when you are chasing a championship. However, we showed a lot of spirit to earn that and we will be back fighting at Symmons Plains.

“Jamie (Whincup) is clearly the class of the field right now. However, this championship remains a battle and it is far from over.”

Richards was a consistent performer over the weekend. He qualified in eighth position before continually working to improve the speed of the Orrcon-backed #6 Castrol FPR Falcon across the three 32-lap races.

The dual Bathurst Champion’s placings of eighth, fifth and ninth was enough to secure him sixth overall for the round and elevate him into fifth spot in the championship standings.

“This was a tough weekend and to be sixth overall was very good in the end,” said Richards.

“We battled with the car all weekend, but importantly we didn’t get caught-up in any of the mayhem that seemed to afflict so many drivers.

“There is still a lot to play for this year and we are determined to get the #6 back up towards the front and where possible give Mark every opportunity fight for the title.”

Jamie Whincup won all three races over the weekend and now leads the championship by 187 points over Winterbottom with two rounds remaining. The penultimate round of the championship will be held at Tasmania’s Symmons Plains Circuit in two weeks time (November 21-23).