[V8SC] Lee Holdsworth column..

(Archived)


pic: FORCE Photography

LEE HOLDSWORTH

Welcome to the first of what I hope will be many columns on 321 Ignition's new website..

2008 has been an interesting year for the Valvoline Cummins Garry Rogers Motorsport team. The team started development early in the year in preparation for the opening round at Clipsal, where I would be joined by last year's Fujitsu Series runner-up Michael Caruso. Michael's done really well this year and has fitted in well with the team.

It actually feels strange being the team 'veteran' with this being my third year with GRM.. 

Clipsal started well for us with me taking home second overall and keeping the car straight in a race where a number of the top teams got caught up in incidents. Post-Clipsal we struggled a little with pace, but I still maintained a top three championship position..

I was starting to see how Rick Kelly managed to piece together his 2006 championship win Unfortunately things dropped off a little after that as some of the other teams, notably the Ford teams, started to find some serious pace. We were still quick though, but further back in the pack after qualifying which tends to be an area you don't want to be. The further forward you start, the better chance you have of amassing good championship points, and staying out of trouble..

Heading into the enduros I'd dropped out of the top ten, and was seriously hoping to recover some ground. Michael had been improving with every round and was not far off my pace as we went to Phillip Island, so we were pretty confident. The addition of a new GRM chassis was welcomed too, and from first practice at the Island, we were quick and after qualifying in the top dozen, we ran as high as second in the race before finishing fifth.

At Bathurst too we were quick, but didn't make the top ten shootout, Garry instead focussing on a good race strategy, so we knew we'd be strong on Sunday.

I started and had the car well inside the top ten by the first stop, and Michael did a brilliant first stint to keep us within reach. An hour from the end though it all came to an end whilst we were holding on to fourth when we suffered a rare mechanical failure within sight of the flag..

That was a big blow to all of us, but one of the strengths of the GRM team is that we quickly regroup and prepare for the next round in full anticipation of that first win for the year.

This weekend is the second last round at Symmons Plains, followed by my favourite circuit, Oran Park, where I'm hoping to grab my third podium in a row, and with any luck, the biggest trophy of the lot!!

Hope to have some seriously good news next time I talk to you..
Leethal..




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