Konica V8 Supercar Challenge Bathurst race notes

Winterbottom wins 2003 Konica V8 Supercar Challenge

Stone Brothers Racing's Mark Winterbottom has finished his successful debut season in the Konica V8 Supercar Series on a high, winning the 25-lap Konica V8 Supercar Challenge at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.

Winterbottom took out the 2003 Konica V8 Supercar Championship title at the sixth and final round of the series held at Mallala Motorsport Park at the end of August, and gained valuable V8 Supercar experience today on Mount Panorama by claiming top spot.

Dick Johnson Racing's Warren Luff finished .8037 seconds behind the SBR youngster with Gulf Western Oil's Matthew White in third.

All top three drivers in today's Konica V8 Supercar Challenge have secured co-driving duties in tomorrow's Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.

Winterbottom will partner Mark Noske in the SBR number 9 Ford Falcon, Luff will team up with DJR's Steven Johnson while White will join Dean Canto in Team Betta Electrical's number 66 Falcon.

Today's race did not go unscathed with two safety car periods seeing the rigorous Mount Panorama circuit take its toll on some Konica drivers.

The safety car took to the track on the seventh lap and again on lap thirteen when Karingal Haulage Clyde Lawrence's Commodore VS stopped at the top of the mountain.

Luff lead for the majority of the 25-lap race, with White and Winterbottom in second and third before White stole the lead on lap16.

The three drivers dominated the race after the safety car period, separating from the rest of the pack, with fourth placed Hydraulink Racing's Mark Porter 13.7682 seconds behind Winterbottom who was in third place.

White lead until a mishap going into The Chase on lap 23 allowed Winterbottom and Luff to edge ahead. Winterbottom took advantage of the situation and went on to win the race.

Although White was disappointed with not taking advantage of his slight lead over Luff and Winterbottom, he is looking forward to tomorrow 1000 kilometre event.

"I clipped the left kerb and had too much front back on that last lap," White said. "It was disappointing to lose the lead on the last lap, but we are really happy with the speed of the car today and am really looking forward to the race tomorrow."

Luff found his time in the DFR Falcon AU extremely beneficial in the lead up to tomorrow's 1000-kilometre race.

"We are really happy with how this weekend has panned out for us," Luff said.

"Competing in the Konica race this weekend is a great way to get more miles, even though the cars we are driving are all different it is definitely worth while getting the experience for the main race tomorrow.

"We have fulfilled objective one, so now we have to wait and see how objective two pans out tomorrow."

The Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 starts at 10am tomorrow. <pre> Konica V8 Supercar Challenge Top Ten Race Results 1. #41 Mark Winterbottom Stone Brothers Racing 25-laps 2. #71 Warren Luff Dick Johnson Racing 3. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil 4. #64 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing/IRC 5. #88 Adam Wallis 3M/Scotts Transport 6. #96 Tony D'Alberto Holden Young Lions 7. #56 Kevin Mundy Actron Air/PCR 8. #98 Grant Elliot Sydney Star Truck & Bus 9. #37 Mark Howard Howard Racing 10. #38 Ben Eggleston National Racing Products

Warm-up Top Ten 1. #71 Warren Luff Dick Johnson Racing 2.10.2358 2. #41 Mark Winterbottom Stone Brothers Racing 2.10.7087 3. #28 Matthew White Gulf Western Oil 2.11.8521 4. #64 Mark Porter Hydraulink Racing/IRC 2.13.0689 5. #22 Owen Kelly Astron Technology/PCR 2.13.9870 6. #96 Tony D'Alberto Holden Young Lions 2.14.5272 7. #88 Adam Wallis 3M/Scotts Transport 2.14.8793 8. #37 Mark Howard Howard Racing 2.15.9525 9. #98 Grant Elliot Sydney Star Truck & Bus 2.16.9433 10. #300 Tim Rowse ANT Racing 2.18.1861

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