CAT Racing Oran Park preview

John Bowe is looking forward to a return to form when the Cat Racing team does battle at the next round of the Shell Championship Series at Sydney's Oran Park Raceway this weekend.

Bowe finished 4th at the GMC 400 three rounds ago but has been disappointed with the results from the subsequent Barbagallo Raceway and Calder Park rounds.

The Tasmanian is hopeful the scene of his 1995 V8 Supercar Championship victory will bring about a return of the Cat Falcon to the sharp end of the grid.

"We have been working very hard to improve the car and we have a number of things to try this week which will hopefully make the car work better on bumpy circuits like this," Bowe said.

"Our team manager, Les Laidlaw, and all the guys have come up with a number of options this week which will hopefully make a difference.

"We showed at Calder we were able to make the car fast by the end of the day, but our aim is to now make the car quick from the outset.

"Qualifying is so important and if you have to come from back in the pack, it makes for a very tough day on Sunday."

Oran Park will feature two 45 minute races this weekend with pit-stops returning for the first time since Canberra.

The V8 teams will also be house in a new pit facility which will be utilised for the first time this weekend.

"The lay-out at Oran Park is really great for the spectators but it can be a little narrow and tight with the full grids we now have in the championship," Bowe said.

"Spectators certainly agree, because the race always attracts huge crowds. Passing is pretty tough around here, but the track still turns on some spectacular action, especially across the "flip-flop" heading into the final corner.

"This is my favorite part of the circuit. It is pretty daunting until you get to know the track because it is a blind right left section over the brow of the hill. You have to be careful not to use too much of the kerb on the inside because it can really upset the car." {TAAB} ORAN PARK RECORD: CAREER @ ORAN PARK ROUND WINS: 1 HEAT WINS: 2 POLE POSITIONS: 2 BEST RESULT: 1st, 1995

LAST YEAR POLE: Skaife 1:07.832 ROUND RESULTS: Mark Skaife - 1st Garth Tander - 2nd Glenn Seton - 3rd

THIS YEAR Sunday 2 x 100km Races Saturday Top 10 Shootout

CALENDAR August 24-26 - Queensland 500 (Qld) September 8-9 - Winton (Vic) October 4-7 - Bathurst (NSW)

-Paul Ryan