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TeamVodafone has high hopes for Ipswich 300

TeamVodafone press release

Race winner Jamie Whincup

Race winner Jamie Whincup

Chris Von Wieldt

TeamVodafone hope to defy home track trend with victory at Queensland Raceway

Race winner Jamie Whincup
Race winner Jamie Whincup

Photo by: Chris Von Wieldt

TeamVodafone are determined to defy the odds against home teams at this weekend’s Coates Hire Ipswich 300 and drivers Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup have a number of factors weighing in their favour.

Craig Lowndes is set to be the favourite this weekend boasting 6 wins on the ‘home’ track, more than any other driver to date. The #888 pilot also produced a clean sweep back in 2000, being one of only three drivers ever to do so at the Ipswich-based track.

“I’m actually really excited as Queensland Raceway is our test track and we know it inside and out,” Lowndes said.

“This weekend will be an all soft tyre round which we hope will work in our favour but knowing how hard to push the tyres at Queensland Raceway will ultimately be the test.

“We have to continue the momentum we have shown in the first half of the season and this being the last sprint round before we get into long distance, it’s a great opportunity to maximise our points before the pointy end of the series.

The soft tyre compound suits teammate Whincup, and with exception to Hamilton, the #88 driver has not finished outside the top three across the other six all soft tyre races.

The current point’s leader has successfully qualified on pole position three times at Queensland Raceway but has only one race win to his name, a statistic he hopes to change this weekend.

“Last year at Queensland Raceway I felt like we were robbed when my engine expired whist leading Sunday’s race, so it would be great to make up for that this coming weekend,” Whincup said.

“Unfortunately, for reasons we are still trying to figure out, we have struggled to achieve our best results here at QR, but we are working hard to ensure we perform this weekend on the track we should know inside out.

“I am feeling confident and this new race structure will be a great way to round off what has been a very good start to the season,” he added.

The 3.12km ‘Paperclip’ will feature a new race format on the Saturday of the event, with a single race split into two 22-lap sprints.

#888 TeamVodafone: Craig Lowndes
#888 TeamVodafone: Craig Lowndes

Photo by: Chris Von Wieldt

A 15-minute service period will separate the races, giving teams limited time to perform any repairs or make setup changes.

A regular qualifying session will determine the grid for the opening race and drivers will start where they finished to round out the concluding 22-lapper.

The V8 Supercars begin their on-track assault on Friday August 19 with practice. Saturday will include qualifying, Race 16 and 17, with qualifying and Race 18 to conclude the event on Sunday.

TeamVodafone’s live race day blog will run from the pit garage during all three races with coverage to kick off at 3.15pm (AEST) and continue throughout both races on Saturday August 20 and from 3.05pm (AEST) on Sunday August 21.

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