V8 Supercars Round 1 - Clipsal 500

23 March 2009

Davison & Tander share podium in Clipsal 500 Race 2

The Toll Holden Racing Team's Will Davison and Garth Tander put on a spectacular show at the Clipsal 500 today, both occupying a step on the podium. Will Davison in his first outing for Toll HRT claimed his second podium in as many races finishing today's Race 2 just behind Jamie Whincuo.

Davison's team-mate, 2007 V8 Supercar Champion Garth Tander shared the podium with his fellow HRT driver, finishing closely behind in third. Tander fended off a late attack from Ford's Craig Lowndes who was closing in on the #2 Commodore in the final laps.

Tander made an outstanding start, capturing Jamie Whincup for the lead on the first lap. The two traded places over the following laps, while Davison was chipping away at the cars behind, perfecting each passing manoeuvre before coming up against team-mate Tander.

It came down to the pit stops where Davison was able to narrowly jump his team-mate and mount an attack on Whincup. Davison pitted around lap 39 with Tander in a lap later. The two team-mates traded positions before settling with Davison in second and Tander in third. The top three positions remained unchanged for the rest of the race.

The two Toll HRT drivers mounted an impressive attack early on in the Championship, showing their determination for a strong result in 2009. Davison now sits second in the Championship after one round, Tander is 12th after mechanical problems meant he was unable to finish Race 1 yesterday.

The next event is the Australian Grand Prix where drivers will compete for the Holden vs Ford Manufacturers Challenge around Albert Park next weekend.

Will Davison - #22 Toll Holden Racing Team VE Commodore (Race 2: 2nd,1:22.4091)

“I'm absolutely thrilled, my first race with the Toll Holden Racing Team and I really only wanted to get through two 78 lap races unscathed and just learn about the Commodore – so second overall, what a dream debut!

“A performance like this comes down to the team and how they've welcomed me with open arms, Garth in particular, everyone being so open and putting everything into me and helping me settle in.

“This weekend's exceeded all expectations; today's race was more enjoyable than yesterday, the car was fantastic, I started with more confidence and picked them away one by one. I had a crack at Jamie [Whincup], the number 1 was motivating me to have a go, but I just couldn't do it. I'd been strong through turn 9 all weekend and passed lots of cars there, but I didn't have the rear tyres to push past him at the end.”

Garth Tander - #2 Toll Holden Racing Team VE Commodore (Race 2: 3rd,1:22.4671)

“Third's really good; we were looking good for a podium yesterday before we had an issue, so to fight back and have a result today was great.

“It was close racing with Will [Davison], but he got me on my out lap when I was on cold tyres. My Toll HRT Commodore has good speed, it was better over a long distance so the last Safety Car probably hurt us.

“The pace was much quicker today, probably just as tough as yesterday even though the temperatures weren't as high – with the cooler temperature and higher grip we were physically driving the cars harder.

“The biggest thing to catch everyone by surprise yesterday was how hot the foot-wells got inside the car, so we made some changes overnight ... and the blisters will only be half as big tonight.”

Rnd 1 – Clipsal 500, Adelaide: Race 2 results:

1. Jamie Whincup, Team Vodafone 1:22.5703

2. Will Davison, Toll Holden Racing Team 1:22.4091

3. Garth Tander, Toll Holden Racing Team 1:22.4671

4. Craig Lowndes, Team Vodafone 1:22.3221

5. Lee Holdsworth, Garry Rogers Motorsport 1:22.9963

6. Steven Johnson, Dick Johnson Racing 1:22.7559

7. Jason Richards, Team BOC 1:22.8348

8. Greg Murphy, Sprint Gas Racing 1:23.1462

9. Steven Richards, Ford Performance Racing 1:22.8783

10. Rick Kelly, Kelly Racing 1:23.1165

V8 Supercar Championship – Drivers Standings (after 1 Round):

1. Jamie Whincup, Team Vodafone 300 points

2. Will Davison, Toll Holden Racing Team 267 points

3. Lee Holdsworth, Garry Rogers Motorsport 249 points

4. Steven Johnson, Dick Johnson Racing 222 points

5. Jason Richards, Team BOC 207 points

6. Craig Lowndes, Team Vodafone 168 points

7. Shane Van Gisbergen, Stone Brothers Racing 168 points

8. Rick Kelly, Kelly Racing 156 points

9. Russell Ingall, Supercheap Auto Racing 150 points

10. Fabian Coulthard, Wilson Security Racing 141 points

12. Garth Tander, Toll Holden Racing Team 129 points