Surfers Paradise: Team Betta Saturday notes

Wilson celebrates his eighth top ten shootout in round eleven.

Max Wilson, driving car 65 for Team Betta Electrical got off to a flying start today, finishing in 7th position in the Top 10 Shootout.

Both Wilson and Longhurst lined up for Race One confident in the improvements made overnight to the car's handling. Both were eager to put in a good run and finish in the top 10. Initially Wilson was slow off the line and allowed himself to be passed by 4 other competitors. However he then settled down to the task, managing to keep the car in shape and away from the walls to bring it home undamaged in 8th place.

Longhurst was able to maintain his starting position and also bring his car home undamaged in 15th position with a fastest lap of 1:53.05

Both drivers were delayed in their pit stops by a faulty wheel gun, which caused them to loose valuable seconds. The gun was later replaced. The race was interrupted by competitors being Black-Flagged for jumping kerbs, with drive through penalties being imposed.

Lap 11 saw the safety car emerge as a result of an altercation between Bright and Ingall which resulted in Ingall taking no further part in the race. The cars were held under safety car conditions for seven laps. The race resumed again in earnest at Lap 18 with only four laps remaining. The majority of the competitors maintained position and crossed the line in that order.

Wilson commented that although he likes the circuit, it is very narrow and unforgiving and because of this, it is very difficult to maintain high speeds with a crowded field.

Longhurst commented that this is not his favourite circuit and he is always aware of the damage that can be sustained to the car should an accident occur as Russell Ingall will verify.

Race 2 promises more thrilling action on the streets of Surfers Paradise for Team Betta Electrical, with the drivers confident of improved placing on today's results.

<pre> RESULTS RACE ONE

1 51 K-Mart Racing Team Greg Murphy Holden 22 49:08.0240 1:51.8024 2 4 Pirtek Racing Marcos Ambrose Ford 22 49:08.7241 1:51.6490 3 00 Ford/Mobil/Dunlop Craig Lowndes Ford 22 49:15.4605 1:52.2447 4 16 Castrol Perkins Steven Richards Holden 22 49:17.9254 1:52.9448 5 2 Holden Racing Team Jason Bright Holden 22 49:20.5754 1:52.3864 6 15 K-Mart Racing Team Todd Kelly Holden 22 49:21.1847 1:53.0409 7 65 Betta Electrical Max Wilson Ford 22 49:23.4558 1:52.3220 8 43 K&J Thermal Products Paul Weel Ford 22 49:23.7602 1:52.8056 9 17 Shell Helix Racing Steven Johnson Ford 22 49:24.2603 1:53.4652 10 3 Lansvale Cameron McConville Holden 22 49:25.0043 1:53.1364 11 11 Castrol Perkins Larry Perkins Holden 22 49:25.5874 1:53.8778 12 021 Team Kiwi Racing Jason Richards Holden 22 49:27.8979 1:53.5533 13 18 Shell Helix Racing Paul Radisich Ford 22 49:28.0704 1:53.9231 14 34 Gary Rogers Garth Tander Holden 22 49:29.5548 1:52.7281 15 66 Betta Electrical Tony Longhurst Ford 22 49:29.8764 1:53.0572

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