News: Ingall Fourth Quickest in Hamilton
Morris has a 'shocker' x 2 - breaks two shock absorbers in practice
Russell Ingall has set the fourth quickest time for the Supercheap Auto team during practice for this weekend's Hamilton 300 in New Zealand.
Team-mate Paul Morris didn't fair as well, the #67 Supercheap Auto breaking two front shocks during the split sessions, luckily returning to the pits each time without incident to make repairs.
Championship leader Jamie Whincup set the quickest time today, heading reigning champion and rival, Garth Tander of the Toll Holden Racing Team.
A combination of different track surfaces and bumps made for an interesting session, with teams searching for the best setup.
Russell Ingall, #39 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE:
"I'm a street race fan, and I love Indy, and Hamilton's just as good. I thought I'd get in the groove quickly, but it took a few laps. There's a lot of different surfaces, which makes it tricky. The bumps are horrendous, they're massive so the cars are running high - it effects the handling a bit, but it's the same for everyone. We just trucked away today, didn't do anything silly. Some of the chicanes out the back are turning out to be car wreckers, so we were cautious of not pushing hard. When I was happy with our setup and on new tyres we attacked it more and the times came."
Paul Morris, #67 Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE:
"Today was good for the Supercheap Auto Racing team with Russell putting in a great lap. My times were off a bit as I broke two front shocks through the back chicane, so I was a little gun shy through there. The shafts were just smashed, so it shows if you get up onto the kerbs it'll hurt. Our first sector times were good, but obviously we were too slow in sector three. The car feels alright and the track's good, there's just a couple places I was off in for obvious reasons. We'll sharpen up overnight and tomorrow should be good."
2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series, Rd 3 - Hamilton 400 (Practice)
1. Jamie Whincup, Team Vodafone Ford Falcon BF
2. Garth Tander, Toll Holden Racing Team Holden Commodore VE
3. Shane Van Gisbergen, SP Air Ford Falcon BF
4. Russell Ingall, Supercheap Auto Holden Commodore VE
5. Michael Caruso, Valvoline Cummins Holden Commodore VE
6. Steven Richards, Castrol Edge Ford Falcon BF
7. Greg Murphy, Sprint Gas Racing Holden Commodore VE
8. Paul Dumbrell, Autobarn Holden Commodore VE
9. Craig Lowdnes, Team Vodafone Ford Falcon BF
10. Fabian Coulthard, Glenfords Racing Ford Falcon BF
25. Paul Morris, Supercheap Auto Racing Holden Commodore VE
