Whincup secures pole for first race

Jamie Whincup has followed up practice form and taken pole position for the first race of the season in ABu Dhabi. Fellow Holden racer Garth Tander will line-up on the front row in his HRT Commodore.

“That’s probably as good as it gets,” said Whincup.

“We come to a new circuit with a brand new car with a big question mark over the top of us (and) to get the most out of the car and get it on pole is a really good feeling.”

Tander threatened that it might not go all Team Vodafone’s own way:
“There are a lot of guys trying to win the Championship tonight, but there is a long series ahead of us… it’s also important that we get through this weekend with a straight car and make sure we get some good points next weekend (at event two in Bahrain). I won’t be doing anything silly, but if the opportunity comes up I will be taking it,” he said.

Indeed it didn’t all go Team Vodafone’s own way, as Craig Lowndes span on his hot lap and will start tenth.