Symmons Plains: IRWIN Racing Saturday notes

TYRESOME DAY FOR DAVISON IN TASMANIA

IRWIN Racing's Alex Davison has finished the opening race of the fourth weekend of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Tasmania's Symmons Plains Raceway in 17th position.

After two red flag periods during qualifying ruined any chance of a strong starting position for Davison, the IRWIN Racing Ford Falcon began the race from 17th on the grid.

The team decided to use the soft Dunlop tyre for the race and a quick start appeared to be working in Davison's favour. He even dropped under the previous lap record. However, higher than anticipated tyre pressures made the car difficult to drive and Davison was unable to fight for positions.

A potential top-15 finish was taken away in the final laps when Davison was unable to hold-off Ford Performance Racing duo Steven Richards and Mark Winterbottom.

WHAT ALEX DAVISON HAD TO SAY:

"After a couple of laps the tyres went off and I really struggled for grip. You expect to be quicker than the guys on the harder tyres, but we were struggling especially at the end when it was horrendous. The IRWIN Racing Team will push re-set for tomorrow. Get into things in qualifying and then attack during the 200 kilometre race."

WHAT IRWIN RACING ENGINEER WES McDOUGALL HAD TO SAY:

"The IRWIN Racing Ford car was OK, but the tyre pressures were too high and that made it very difficult. The encouraging thing is that the soft tyre difference is not as big here as it was at the previous race at Winton. Over a much longer race tomorrow we feel that we can stay in the game and push for a far better result. We had no luck in qualifying today, but we will have a big go tomorrow and ideally set us up for a stronger run in the race."

-credit: irwin