03 May 2009 / PERKINS UNLAPS HIMSELF TO GET 19TH AT WINTON

Dodo Racing Team driver Jack Perkins has shown great pace to unlap himself and finish in 19th place in the sixth race of the 2009 season at Winton Motor Raceway in rural Victoria today.

Perkins qualified in 25th fastest aboard the #11 Dodo Holden Commodore earlier on Sunday, setting fast times in the first half of the 20-minute session before missing a quick time in the latter part of the session.

The second-generation racer was able to hold station in the first half of the race while running the harder tyre, setting himself for a strong second stint.

Perkins pitted on lap 36 to fit the softer ‘option’ tyre and be refuelled, only just being lapped and he left pit exit.

Perkins then raced hard to unlap himself, able to get back on the lead lap despite some hard racing from the leaders, who may have failed to realise that they were not racing Perkins for position.

Safety Car timing may not have fallen his way, but Perkins still managed to use his great speed on the soft tyre to rise into the top 20.

Craig Lowndes won today’s sixth race of the season ahead of Mark Winterbottom and Garth Tander.

The next event of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series will be the Falken Tasmania Challenge at Symmons Plains Raceway in Launceston.

WHAT JACK HAD TO SAY …

Jack Perkins - #11 Dodo Holden Commodore:

“I guess in a way that it’s good just to have a top 20 finish, to keep the finishes ticking along, but it is also a bit disappointing,” said Perkins.

“The Dodo Commodore had pretty good speed with the soft tyres, we just struggled enormously with the hard tyres and that's probably what cost us a better result today – our hard tyre pace.

“We got out of sync with the leaders and we were still racing our way back up to get our positions back to get back on the lead lap and some guys seemed pretty hell-bent on rubbing panels and having us on the track, for what would appear to be no real reason.

“It was a bit of a shame because I’m sure at some stage this year the roles will be reversed and I'll be on a mission then, that's for sure.”

2009 V8 Supercar Championship – Driver’s Standings
After Race 6 – Winton Motor Raceway
1. Jamie Whincup 804
2. Will Davison 690
3. Steven Johnson 573
4. Lee Holdsworth 534
5. Rick Kelly 531
6. Garth Tander 504
7. Craig Lowndes 501
8. Shane Van Gisbergen 453
9. Jason Richards 417
10. Fabian Coulthard 414
27. Jack Perkins 198

RESULTS: Winton Race Two
Race 6 of the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series
1. #888 Craig Lowndes 66 laps
2. #5 Mark Winterbottom
3. #2 Garth Tander
4. #10 Paul Dumbrell
5. #22 Will Davison
6. #18 James Courtney
7. #15 Rick Kelly
8. #24 David Reynolds
9. #77 Marcus Marshall
10. #3 Jason Bargwanna
19. #11 Jack Perkins

RESULTS: Sunday Qualifying
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:23.1687
2. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:23.4086
3. #888 Craig Lowndes 1:23.4127
4. #2 Garth Tander 1:23.4277
5. #10 Paul Dumbrell 1:23.7023
6. #111 Fabian Coulthard 1:23.7118
7. #33 Lee Holdsworth 1:23.8328
8. #15 Rick Kelly 1:23.8455
9. #22 Will Davison 1:23.8694
10. #18 James Courtney 1:23.9809
25. #11 Jack Perkins 1:24.5052

WINTON MOTOR RACEWAY DETAILS:
Circuit: Winton Motor Raceway
Location: Benalla, VIC
Circuit Length: 3.0 kilometres
Format: 33-lap race (Saturday) and 66-lap race (Sunday)
2008 Polesitter: Mark Winterbottom
2008 Race 1 Winner: Jamie Whincup
2008 Race 2 Winner: Will Davison
2008 Race 3 Winner: Garth Tander