V8SDS: Mark McNally Oran Park qualifying report

SEVENTH HEAVEN FOR MCNALLY IN FUJITSU QUALIFYING

Mark McNally has pulled off an impressive qualifying session to be seventh fastest for the final round of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series at Sydney's Oran Park Raceway today.

After two solid practice sessions yesterday Mark was confident that he and his West Coast Racing Commodore were capable of some solid lap times, and he didn't disappoint with a time of 1:10.78, just half a second shy of pole position and only a few tenth off a top five spot.

"I am extremely happy with how the car is going," Mark said.

"Seventh is a great result for us today but I think we can get a bit more out of the car this weekend."

With four of the drivers ahead of him having plenty of main series V8 experience Mark was naturally pleased with where they had qualified.

"Guys like Steve Owen, Dean Canto, Shane Price and Jack Perkins have had a wealth of experience at the highest level and to be so close to them is great."

After testing a stiffer rear end set-up in practice Mark went back to a more conventional setting for qualifying today.

"We ended up a little bit stiffer but it was pretty close to a standard setting for us.

"I am really comfortable with this car now that I have a few races under my belt in it since changing over from my regular car."

Mark will be pushing hard in the races this weekend but is mindful of what can happen that is out of his control.

"We had a really good start to the year which was highlighted by my performance at Wakefield Park up until we sustained serious damage at the first corner.

"Things went a little off track after that but with the change of cars and recent testing the BJR guys have really helped to get things going again.

"Regardless of what happens in the racing this weekend I know that if I have a good car I am capable of strong results," Mark said.

"The first few laps here will be important as it is a track that you need to get into a rhythm because of the flow of the corners and layout of the track."

Mark has race 1 on tomorrow and the final race of the Series on Sunday.

-credit: westcoastracing.com.au