Bahrain: WPS/WOW race one report

TOP TEN FOR BARGWANNA IN RACE ONE AT BAHRAIN

WPS/WOW Racing's Jason Bargwanna showed gritty determination to claim a top ten finish during the opening race of the Desert 400, round 12 of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, in Bahrain today.

After qualifying in 15th position the former Bathurst Champion steered the #10 WPS Racing Falcon up the order and around the opening lap carnage which eliminated a number of championship contenders.

Bargwanna showed tremendous speed throughout the entire 31-lap encounter to claw his way back from 13th place mid race before passing Todd Kelly to move inside the top ten. He continued his movement forward after gaining the upper hand on Greg Murphy to cross the line ninth.

Bargwanna's team-mate, Max Wilson, made a tremendous start in the #8 WOW Racing Falcon charging his way from his 28th qualifying position to be in 14th at the end of the opening lap.

Unfortunately Wilson's hard-charging run would be halted when his crew was forced to make unscheduled repairs during the compulsory pit stop which delayed his return to the circuit. He would eventually cross the line in 23rd position.

Today's race was won by polesitter Mark Winterbottom ahead of new championship leader Garth Tander and Steven Johnson.

The round will be highlighted with a pair of 31-lap races around the 3.6km circuit tomorrow at 11:00am and 3:35pm local time.

WHAT THE TEAM HAD TO SAY.....

Jason Bargwanna -- #10 WPS Racing Falcon "Today was a very enjoyable day and a very good result for the team," said Bargwanna.

"I only missed out on the top ten during qualifying by a tenth of a second and during the race the car had some good speed.

"Unfortunately, I suffered from some brake fade during the closing stages of the race but on the other side of the coin the car had tyre wear which enabled me to push to the end.

"We had similar issues at the last round on the Gold Coast and I'm confident some of the changes we learnt from there will help us move up the order tomorrow.

"I'm very proud of the team and hopefully I can continue to reward them with some good results over the closing stages of the year."

Max Wilson -- #8 WOW Racing Falcon "I made a great start to move up over 10 positions and also avioided the carnage on the opening lap but shortly after it all came undone," said Wilson.

"I got together with Steven Richards which damaged the left front guard and forced me to have a slightly longer pit stop than usual as the crew made some minor repairs and changed the left hand side tyres.

"From there I dropped down the order and struggled to make up the lost ground.

"Tomorrow is a new day and hopefully it will finish with a better result."

Craig Gore -- WPS/WOW Racing Team Owner "Another impressive performance by Bargs, he continues to show his gritty determination and the never say die attitude and be rewarded for it," said Gore.

"With three top ten race finishes over the past few rounds the hard work by the entire team has really started to turn into some pleasing results.

"Unfortunately for Max his race turned a little pear-shaped, however, he too had showed some promise during the early laps and should be able to claw his way up the order in tomorrow's two races."

-credit: wpsracing.net.au