Oran Parks practice notes

The first practice session of V8 Supercars at blustery Oran Park, near Campbelltown in Sydney has delivered some surprises, including the second fastest practice time by Super Cheap Auto driver Steve Ellery.

Ellery notched a time just 0.15second behind HRT driver Mark Skaife in a time of 1:09.27. The fastest ford driver hopes that when the team bolts new tyres on for this afternoon's practice session, he will be just as quick.

"It doesn't always follow that fast in practice, means fast in qualifying and we still have the hardest part of the weekend ahead of us. We've kicked a goal this morning but there's still a match to be won."

"I pretty confident, I know Oran Park like the back of my hand. Even though I grew up in Victoria and live in Queensland, Oran Park is one of the few NSW tracks I know well. I spent quite a few of my Formula Ford days here and have some good memories here," Ellery said

Ellery noted the track was quite dusty in parts particularly at the end of the straight, which may present some high speed challenges for the field. Like most of the drivers, he hopes the track remainS dry for qualifying and his practice success converts to good qualifying form.

PRACTICE TIMES SESSION 1 1. M.Skaife (Holden) 1:09.12, 2.S.Ellery (Ford) 1:09.27, 3.C.McConville (Holden) 1:09.50, 4.M.Ambrose (Ford) 1:09.57, 5.D.Besnard (Ford) 1:09.75

-AG