Australian GP CAT Racing/John Bowe Race One Review

V8 SUPERCAR CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES RACE ONE - AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX ISSUED: FRIDAY, 10th MARCH 2000

BOWE GRABS SEVENTH IN TOUGH GRAND PRIX OPENING RACE

Cat Racing's John Bowe opened his Grand Prix weekend with seventh place in the first race at Albert Park today.

After battling handling problems during practice and qualifying, the Cat team hit the track with a number of key suspension changes to cure an oversteer problem.

From sixth spot on the grid, Bowe initially dropped back to ninth after getting too much wheelspin off the start.

The Tasmanian fought fought his way up to seventh spot at the conclusion of the 10 lap event.

"We dropped a couple of spots off the start, but the car was actually quite good," Bowe said.

"I couldn't jump on the throttle coming off the turns yesterday, because the rear was so loose, but we certainly improved the car.

"The tyres started to go off after a few laps and tomorrow will be tougher because we have a couple of extra laps to complete."

Bowe will now start Saturday's race from seventh on the grid and is hopeful of making good progress.

"This track flows pretty well and it is very hard to make up time as the field tends to form a bit of a freight train," Bowe said.

"It is much easier to pass people off the start than during the race but there is a very fine line between bogging the car down or getting too much wheelspin.

"You can't be too anxious and jump too early otherwise you will be penalised for jumping the start."

The opening race was won by Holden driver Garth Tander ahead of Mark Skaife and Paul Radisich.

Bowe and the Cat team have now begun work on making further changes to the car for the final two races of the weekend.

"The car is getting better all the time, but I'd love to finish up with the strong result," Bowe said.

"A lot of friends and sponsors and here for the Grand Prix this weekend and it would be great to give them something to cheer about.

"With a long track like this, it only takes a small suspension change to make up a lot of time - the secret is finding the right change to make."

-Paul Ryan-