Get Ready For a Tasmanian Treat
Teams are still recovering from the crash and bash fest on the Gold Coast a couple of weeks ago as the Championship heads into the third-last event of 2010 at Symmons Plains Raceway. The V8 Supercars jump on the freight ferry to get across Bass Straight for the Falken Tasmania Challenge, which takes place from November 12-14.
There’s not as much entertainment going on at Symmons Plains Raceway between the racing when compared to other V8 events, but the XXXX Gold Retreat will definitely be open for business. One you’ve ‘lived the good life’ at the XXXX Retreat – and maybe even caught up with the XXXX Angels – check out merchandising because now is the time of year when teams start to discount the season’s items. Those lucky enough to hold a grandstand ticket in their hot little hands can access covered seating, always a blessing with Tassie’s wintery weather which can pop up even at this time of year, along with a free pitlane walk before the start of the day’s racing on Saturday and Sunday. And those with little tackers can keep them busy in the family zone which is free to all.
Pic: J-Dub looking for a strong result at Tassie
Credit: Justin Deeley
Last year’s event at Symmons Plains was held in May but it’s back to its usual November date this year and should provide some thrilling racing as the 2010 Championship begins the run to the end. James Courtney is one driver who will just about literally hold his breath through the entire event. The Jim Beam racer has TeamVodafone’s Jamie Whincup hot on his heels in the Championship following the former’s devastating penalty in Queensland. Add that to his Symmons Plains experience last year, where he got involved in a clash with one of the slower drivers when he was trying to overtake on the very short circuit, and it’s understandable that JC is a tad nervous.
One thing he can look forward to is that the Falken Tasmania Challenge is one of the events where every driver gets a set of the ‘soft’ Dunlop Sport Maxx Sprint tyres to use during the races. With four wins to his name this year using the soft tyres and his past experience on similar rubber overseas, on paper Courtney is the man to beat.
However J-Dub is gunning for his third straight Championship, not to mention his first in a Commodore, and wants the trophy just as much as Courtney does. Regardless of the outcome, hopefully the competition is as exciting as it was when the reigning Champ and young Kiwi Shane van Gisbergen were racing door handle to door handle in the dying moments of the Sunday race on the Gold Coast.
