Surfers another shocker for Frosty

It's got little to do with him but Ford star Mark Winterbottom is quickly developing
a reputation as one of the unluckiest V8 Supercar drivers.
After securing pole position for Sunday's 300km race at the Gold Coast 600,
Winterbottom was left lamenting what could have been after a farcical pit-stop cost
him valuable track position and a chance at victory.
Ford Performance Racing had secured a one-two on the front row of the starting grid,
with Winterbottom's co-driver Luke Youlden and stablemate Steven Richards
maintaining that status going into their first stops in the 102-lap race on the
streets of Surfers Paradise.
But as Winterbottom watched on in horror from the garage, the team lost valuable
time with Richards' co-driver, Australian IndyCar star Will Power, forced to wait in
the pits for gloves and a seat insert as he was caught unawares for a driver change.
With Youlden stuck behind "Frosty" in the second FPR Falcon, the time lost for Power
to be prepared and get away, eventually saw the No.5 car rejoin the field dead last.
While Winterbottom recovered to secure a third-place finish, he could hardly believe
another race had passed where victory was snatched from his grasp.
"A few things run through the mind but obviously not going to rubbish the team for
what happened there," Winterbottom said of the disastrous pit-stop.
"Disappointing, we put the car on pole and to watch Will Power try to get in the car
with no gloves, no seat insert, helmet undone, there was plenty going on.
"But you can only use that for aggression in the car and (I) drove the wheels off it.
"You never give up, it's a pretty tough circuit here. Kept pushing along, got pretty
close in the end but just couldn't do the job.
"Good result, we didn't expect to fight back from where we were ... but obviously
disappointed with what we started with. Pretty mixed feelings right now."



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email is intended for the use of the addressee only. If you receive this email
in error, please delete it immediately. This email may contain information which is
confidential and/or legally privileged. You must not use or disclose the contents of
this email, or add the sender's email address to any database, list or mailing list
unless you are expressly authorised to do so. The statements or views expressed in
this email are those of the individual sender and are not those of Australian
Associated Press Pty Ltd (AAP). These statements are not binding on AAP, except
where the sender expressly and with authority, states them to be. AAP is unable to
review the contents of all the email on its system. To the extent permitted by law,
AAP disclaims all liability for any loss or damage caused by the contents of this
email. www.aap.com.au


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next