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V8SDS: Decina Racing Queensland Saturday notes
DECINA STRIKES BACK IN QUEENSLAND A third place finish has marked phase one of Speed FX/Decina Racing's Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship Series fight back, during the opening race of round three in Queensland this afternoon. Riding high on the ...
Edited: Jul 23, 2006, 4:18 AM
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DECINA STRIKES BACK IN QUEENSLAND
A third place finish has marked phase one of Speed FX/Decina Racing's Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship Series fight back, during the opening race of round three in Queensland this afternoon.
Riding high on the back end of a flawless qualifying session, driver Michael Caruso started from the second row of the grid behind Queensland based drivers Mark Porter, Adam Macrow and David Clark.
Maintaining composure in the company of more experienced opposition, the 23 year-old Sydney-sider kept pace for the entire 16-lap assignment and even chanced himself in the latter stages with a number of passing attempts.
But with limited opportunities to pressure the leaders, Caruso was resigned to settling into a race groove, although he did manage to leap-frog Clark at the start.
The Mona Vale driver finished behind Porter and Macrow and was more than happy to make a substantial contribution to his Championship series points haul.
"I've been working really hard on my starts in testing because this track doesn't allow too much passing and we got a good jump on it and showed we can definitely mix it with the big boys," said Caruso.
"It's a learning game for me out there but we're trying things and making some good gains so the weekend is shaping well.
"We've got really good race pace and will be able to compete out in front.
"After the dramas last round I'm happy with where we are and know we can go on with the job."
Today's result has pushed Caruso from tenth into outright sixth in the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series and well within striking distance of the leaders.
With more points on offer during tomorrow's final two races, team owner Jim Morton's post race instructions were simple.
"We've just got to get through the 16-lap reverse grid race tomorrow morning unscathed and put ourselves into a competitive position for the final 28-lap race," said Morton.
"Michael suggested the car was getting faster as today's race went on so that's a very positive sign towards the longer race.
"We set ourselves for a top five or six qualifier and managed to make up a few spots so it's all good and everyone's upbeat towards the finish of this round."
The approach to race one had the Speed FX Racing team justifiably confident after Caruso had guided his Decina Falcon into fifth fastest on the timesheets.
Progressing from the set up changes implemented during yesterday's practice, the team used the opportunity to toy with variations.
-dr
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