Results the key for HSVDT in final two rounds

In what has been a difficult and unforgiving season for HSVDT’s Rick Kelly and Paul Dumbrell, the word is to go for results in the final two rounds of the 2008 V8 Supercar Championship.

While Paul Dumbrell pulled his #16 Autobarn Commodore to the front of the field with strong qualifying positions at Bathurst and, more recently, on the streets of Surfers Paradise, both he and fellow driver Rick Kelly battled through round 12 in Bahrain two weeks ago fighting setup problems and overcoming mid race incidents.

But the Symmons Plains circuit near Launceston has been a happy hunting ground for the HSV Dealer Team in the past. The team has been able to put together a solid package for the tight and twisty circuit, Kelly attributing this to the circuit suiting the HSVDT VE Commodores.

“Unfortunately in recent years we have had to deal with engine dramas with my car which has hindered our results on paper in Tassie, but if it wasn’t for that I think we would have been on the podium” Kelly said.

Kelly scored a podium finish in 2005 alongside former team-mate Garth Tander who won the round in a HSV Dealer Team prepared Commodore in 2005 and 2006. He’s confident the car has the pace to push for a strong result this weekend.

“I think the car pace we have had at Symmons Plains has been good.

“The track suits our car and the adjustments we make across sessions over the three days should allow us to finish the weekend strongly” Kelly continued.

“It would be good to finish up the front at Symmons Plains and also at Oran Park next month. The pit stops and the team work at Bahrain was exceptional and we had three of the best pit stops we have had all year which gives us a boost of confidence heading into this weekend” said Kelly.

Kelly’s team-mate Paul Dumbrell is also looking for a strong finish to the year in Tasmania and Oran Park in early December. Dumbrell finished a credible 11th for the round in Bahrain two weeks ago and is hoping to creep into the top five this weekend.

“It has certainly been a tough back end to the year” Dumbrell said.

“Results wise I have performed well in Tasmania, being in the top five for a few years in a row. We have had the car pace in the last few races and qualifying has been better, so we just need to make sure we capitalise on our speed and bring home a decent result” he commented.

The Tasmanian circuit is a tight and twisty 2.4 kilometre track with a tricky hairpin at turn four.

“The first half of the race is usually quite hectic and turn four is only about three car lengths wide and there are 28 cars who think they can win the race on the first lap” Dumbrell said.

“You have to keep your wits about you and make sure you are ready for any unpredictable manoeuvres.”

Symmons Plains is one of the shortest circuits in the Championship – with cars lapping in around 50 seconds – making qualifying extra important. It’s also a tough track to pass on, forcing drivers at the front of the field to closely watch tyre wear.

“You need to make sure you have a car that is good on its rear tyres” Dumbrell said.

The Tasmania Challenge starts this Friday with practice. Qualifying and Race 1 are on Saturday with Races 2 and 3 on Sunday.

Source:V8 Latest News

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