Tasmania: WPS/WOW race one report

TOUGH OPENING RACE FOR WPS/WOW RACING IN TASMANIA

WPS/WOW Racing has experienced a tough opening race in the Falken Tasmania Challenge at Symmons Plains Raceway in Tasmania today.

Max Wilson gave the team a great start by giving the Gold Coast-based operation it's first top 10 qualifying performance for the season.

The Brazilian ace made the final segment of qualifying in the #8 WOW Racing Falcon, qualifying in 10th position around the 2.4-kilometre circuit.

Wilson was running strongly in the race until pitting for his compulsory pit stop on lap 12. A problem with the left rear wheel during the pit stop delayed Wilson and cost him valuable time, dropping him to 18th position.

Wilson then spun late in the race at the end of the back straight, putting an end to any chances of a points scoring position in the first of three races this weekend.

Jason Bargwanna had a tough day in the #10 WPS Racing Falcon. The former Bathurst winner qualifying 27th earlier in the day, an overnight set-up change not working as planned, giving Bargwanna a tough challenge in the 50-lap race this afternoon.

Bargwanna experienced brake problems during the race, making it hard to make positions, but he soldiered on to eventually come home in 23rd position.

Garth Tander won today's opening race of the weekend ahead of Jamie Whincup and Mark Winterbottom. The final two races of the Falken Tasmania Challenge will be held on Sunday.

WHAT THE TEAM HAS TO SAY ...

Max Wilson -- #8 WOW Racing Falcon

"The car was pretty good but the pit stop cost us," said Wilson.

"It happens I guess.

"We had a good car in qualifying and I got a good lap out of it.

"We were running a good pace in the race. After the stop we were too far back to get back into the points.

"I pushed hard but had a spin. It was definitely a race to forget.

"I think we have the speed so I'd like to think we can put this behind us and come out fighting tomorrow."

Jason Bargwanna -- #10 WPS Racing Falcon

"We made a minor set-up change overnight and while it only made a small difference, it was the wrong way and it meant we missed the window and were a couple of tenths off where we should have been in qualifying," said Bargwanna.

"On a short track like Symmons Plains, it only takes a small thing to cost you a lot of spots.

"In the race we managed to move forward. We all did our best but it's tough from back there.

"We will have a good look at things overnight and get it right for tomorrow. We had some bad brakes problems out there and it made it hard to pass, so we will be looking to get on top of that for the next race."

Craig Gore -- WPS/WOW Racing Team Owner

"Today was a tough day," said Gore.

"Max did us proud in qualifying. Unfortunately he didn't get the opportunity to finish where he deserved to in the race.

"Bargs could not carry yesterday's pace into today but we will have a good, hard think about things and make sure we bounce back tomorrow.

"We've scored points at every sprint round this season, so we will be working as hard as possible to make sure we get Max and Bargs back up in the front half of the field to keep that going tomorrow."

-credit: wpsracing.net.au