Bathurst: Team Betta Friday report

Lowndes secures shootout start after challenging Bathurst qualifying

Team Betta Electrical's Craig Lowndes has secured a spot in tomorrow afternoons all important Top Ten Shootout after an arduous qualifying session at Mount Panorama today.

Lowndes recorded the seventh fastest time of 2.07.8939 while car 88 piloted by Allan Simonsen qualified in 20th position.

Whilst the team tried a number of approaches and tyre combinations to find more speed the final result was disappointing given the excitement of last years pole position.

This evening, both engineers and drivers will be spending candle time studying laps and sector times to achieve an improved result during tomorrows shootout session

Craig Lowndes Quotes

"The car has definitely improved on yesterday but we are still looking for some more speed in the first sector," said Lowndes

"It was great to end up in the top ten and whilst the car is responding to the changes there is definitely more time to be found.

"We haven't really had a flow going all weekend but we know the car is looking after its tyres and we have a reliable race package for Sunday," said Lowndes.

Jamie Whincup Quotes

"There was no need for me to try and be a star today," said Whincup. "It was my job to circulate, feel the car and stay calm and controlled.

"Overall I was very comfortable with the cars improvements."

Allan Simonsen Quotes

"More time in the car would have allowed me the opportunity to really push my own boundaries.

"The track is really quite formidable and I am very conscious of keeping the car straight as I am confident that once the race starts both Richard and I can achieve consistent lap times which over the length of this race, is a priority.

"I am pretty happy with where we are at the moment," added Simonsen.

Richard Lyons Quotes

"It was great to have a practice session to myself today," said Lyons "It enabled me to learn more about the car and the track.

"This is one of the biggest races in the world and I am starting to understand the track more and more each time I get out there.

"If we can keep improving there is no reason we can't get a top ten finish and bring home some good points for the team," said Lyons.

Tomorrows V8 Supercar action will include a one hour practice session which will commence at 10.00am followed by the Top 10 Shootout from 3.40pm. On Sunday drivers will contest an early morning warmup from 7.10am before the green flag is waved at 10.00am.

The Super Cheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will take place over 161 laps of the 6.213km circuit.

-credit: tbe