XXXX GOLD Ambassador driver’s dominate Townsville
The Sucrogen Townsville 400, and our very own XXXX Gold Driver Ambassadors, provided a thrilling climax to the first half of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship. Jamie Whincup looked set to dominate the entire weekend on Sunday morning when he put his TeamVodafone rocket on pole after winning the Saturday race. But the brake line busted on J-Dub’s car early in the race and thanks to a perfect pitstop strategy Mark Winterbottom took the victory instead. An ecstatic Ford Performance Racing crew cheered Frosty across the line and to make it even sweeter, the team’s other two cars finished in the top five. Meanwhile, Garth Tander finished on the podium in both races and Greg Murphy had an encouraging weekend as the series heads into its season of endurance.
Pic: J-Dub, GT & Frosty dominate the podium after Saturdays race.
Sunday’s race in particular was exciting and with James Courtney finishing runner-up to Frosty, the Jim Beam driver was able to extend his Championship lead over Whincup. Courtney’s actions in Friday’s practice session, which saw him break a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ and pass some of his rivals on the out lap, angered his rivals and that angst ran even deeper when he escaped penalty after crashing into teammate Steve Johnson at the start of the Saturday race. As with all of V8 Supercars’ marquee events, it’s not just about the racing and there was plenty to keep everyone busy at the second running of the Townsville event.
Like last year’s inaugural event, merchandise was running hot off the shelves, the XXXX GOLD Retreat was packed and competitions like the Irwin Ultimate Tradesman Challenge kept people entertained. There were even a few rockstars in the house, with INXS playing to thousands on the Saturday night. If the ladies weren’t into the on-track action, young INXS lead JD Fortune made their hearts race as he crooned his way through some of the band’s greatest songs.
Considering the championship now heads into a massive nine week long break, make sure to fill in some of that time by taking part in the XXXX Gold Ultimate V8 Supercar Fan Survey. It’s your chance to have your say on what you think of the Greatest Show on Wheels so chuck in your two cents worth at www.xxxxgoldv8supercars.com.au/v8X-ultimate-fan-survey/
The next event of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship is the L&H 500, which takes place at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit from September 10-12.
