Holden Racing Team Win Clipsal 500

/in /by
1st March 2015
Holden Racing Team Win Clipsal 500
It was a dream ending for the Holden Racing Team on the final day of competition at the Clipsal 500 with James Courtney winning today’s 250km race and Garth Tander joining him on the podium in 3rd.Both the #2 and #22 Holden Commodores qualified for the Top Ten Shootout and it was Courtney who was victorious in claiming his first pole position of the year, his second pole position at this event.

Tander set the 9th fastest time in the shootout but was later advanced two places on the grid to 7th after a timing error was discovered.

Green lights for Race 3 and Courtney was quick off the mark holding his position while Tander jumped two places to 5th.  The two Holden Racing Team drivers were on different race strategies to each other, and to the rest of the field, which made it difficult to predict where the positions would fall in the later part of the race.  After their third and final pit stops Courtney and Tander were effectively in positions 1 and 2, with just three cars in front still to stop.

Van Gisbergen wanted in on the action after his final stop and with the advantage of four new tyres he was on the hunt for the HRT team mates.  He managed to pass Tander and with Courtney now firmly in his sights, began his assault for the win.  Tander stayed in touch with the race leaders and held 3rd place until the finish line.

For 20 longs laps van Gisbergen was relentless in trying to overtake Courtney.  Lap 60 was intense as the two came together pushing Courtney wide.  But the 2010 Championship winner would not back down and regained the lead which is where he stayed until he past chequered flag.

James Courtney now stands at the top of the leader board in the V8 Supercars Championship and Garth Tander is currently 3rd.

Adrian Burgess, Managing Director:
“The weekend has been fantastic.  You make all these plans before the start of the year and you all go to the track thinking you’re going to be on the pace and going to win it.  But to get both cars on the podium today and for James to win the race is tremendous.”

“It’s a great reward for all the guys who have been working hard for the last 14 months, but its early days yet.  The drivers did a great top in qualifying, James did a fantastic lap in the shootout and they both had an incredible drive under pressure.”

Click the below link to see what the driver had to say about today’s win and podium finish:
http://youtu.be/PZ6vDswo0hM