Bathurst 12H: Wilson Brothers Racing qualifying report

Wilson Brothers Racing Clamp Down on Bathurst Pace

Although the qualifying time sheets don't show it, the Wilson Brothers Racing Subaru WRX Sti is set to be a dark horse in tomorrow's Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour.

A slipping hose clamp on the car's intercooler slowed the machine early in the hour long all-in qualifying session, and with the problem solved, the car will be one to watch come race day.

The car's onboard data suggested that traffic affected laps late in the session would have been good enough for a top ten starting berth, however the crew of David Wood, Lee Castle and Kurt Wimmer will start the race from position number 19.

In the third practice session, which was held in wet conditions this morning, Castle was placed strongly in sixth position before the track dried, displaying the Subaru's strong wet weather form.

With the niggling problem behind the team, team principal Cameron Wilson is full of optimism heading into the biggest event of the production car racing season.

"Obviously it is not the qualifying result we were after, but going off the data, we know that the car is more than capable of a top-ten result, and I honestly believe if we play our cards right, it is good enough for a top-five," said Wilson.

"There are a lot of factors to take into account with the 12 hour, with the safety car, fuel strategy and particularly the weather, which will make the day very interesting.

"All three drivers are equal in terms of pace, and they understand that they need to look after the equipment.

"Lee will start the race, and from there we really look forward to what the 12 hour brings."

The big race kicks off with a 6:30am start, with weather expected to bring further rain over night and tomorrow.

Wilson Brothers Racing would like to acknowledge the continued support of Redken For Men, Gold Coast Indoor Hire Karts, Castrol, Racing Logic, Mercury Motorsport, EcuTek, Ingear Industries, Elan Mens Salons, L'Oreal Paris Men Expert, RLS Data & Electrical, Gametraders Townsville, John Muller Tyres Plus, Contacting Public Relations, Racer Industries and Subaru Sti Australia for their assistance in team's 12 hour efforts.

Driver Quotes

David Wood

"We definitely have more speed in the car, and we know it will perform strongly in the wet and the dry.

"It's a shame we had a problem with a genuine 20 cent part, but the car is miles better than what we had at this race 12 months ago.

"I don't think it will take long to work through the traffic, it's going to be a great race, I'm really looking forward to it."

Lee Castle

"I can't wait to start the race, and if it wasn't for a bit of bad luck, we definitely had a top-ten qualifying result in us.

"In such a long race, qualifying is not that important.

"After the week that the boys have had, they deserve a good result, bring on a wet and dry race!"

Kurt Wimmer

"I'm really looking to getting a lot of laps under my belt tomorrow.

"The car feels the best out of anything I have ever driven in the wet, so a bit of rain won't worry us.

"In qualifying the car felt really strong, and I think we will really sneak up on the front runners in the race."

Stay Tuned to the Web

The Wilson Brothers Racing website, www.wilsonbrothersracing.com will once again be a valuable resource come race weekend, with up to the minute updates and photos from trackside, right through the practice, qualifying and the full 12 hour race.

Wilson Brothers Racing - Racing for a Cure

Wilson Brothers Racing is proud to support Cure Cancer Australia, an organisation that has been operating in Australia for 44 years to support young researchers at the beginning of their careers across the Cancer spectrum. Wilson Brothers Racing is helping to raise the profile of this fantastic organisation through their various motorsport activities around Australia. For more information, catch up with the team trackside.

-source: wbr