D’Alberto and Bargwanna find footing at the island

Rod Nash Racing adapted quickly to the new race format at Phillip Island today, making the most of the two races to finish in 27th and 8th.

The new format presented both drivers with the opportunity to qualify for their own respective races with Bargwanna set to contest Race 1 and D’Alberto set to follow in Race 2. Bargwanna was first up, qualifying in 22nd position. D’Alberto managed to skim down the time slightly in his qualifying session to qualify in 21st position with a lap of 1:34.8822.

Bargwanna got away to a great start in Race 1, bustling through the field in the opening lap to circulate in 17th. His progress was made despite the presence of a strong wind, which affected the dynamics of the cars and caused trouble for unwary drivers. Bargwanna continued his upward climb to find 8th position by lap 11, which he comfortably held through the closing laps of the race. Bargwanna had delivered a tidy race and managed to make up a lot of ground within a relatively small number of laps.

D’Alberto was on familiar territory behind the wheel of the #55 Bottle-O Commodore for Race 2 and was handed the additional challenge of completing the team’s compulsory pitstop during the race. Teams were given the choice of completing their compulsory pit stop in either of the two races to further build upon the strategic element of the race round.

D’Alberto performed a good start to the race, finding speed early on to start an upwards climb. The circuit forced drivers to fight hard for grip and not long into the race D’Alberto took a brief detour off track, quickly correcting the car and continuing onwards. The team pitted on lap 7 and it became increasingly difficult for D’Alberto to find a passing opportunity. D’Alberto finished the race in 27th position having driven solidly to develop a good feel of the track for tomorrow’s endurance race.

Sunday’s race comprises 113 laps and begins from 1:30pm.

Copyright © Rod Nash Racing 2008

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