Dodo Racing Team drivers Jack Perkins and Dale Wood survived the chaotic first endurance event of the season with 14th place in the L&H 500 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria today.
It was a workman-like effort from the pairing, who were on the wrong end of several incidents with rivals that saw the #11 Dodo Holden Commodore make several off-road excursions.
The Dodo Holden Commodore of Dale Wood and Jack Perkins at Phillip Island
“Any time you can get in the top 15 it’s a good result,” said Jack Perkins.
Despite the incidents, the pairing brought the Dodo Commodore home for one of its strongest performances for the season.
“You always want a bit better and top 10 would have been great but anyway that’s not to be,” said Wood.
“It was always going to be hard starting 21st, but the Dodo Commodore was great and held together strong for the whole race.”
Will Davison and Garth Tander won today’s L&H 500 ahead of Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes and the pairing of Mark Winterbottom and Steven Richards.
“I can’t wait for Bathurst, I love the race, I love the track. Last year we had a solid top 10 result there and I’m looking forward to taking the Dodo Commodore into the top 10 there as well,” said Perkins.
The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held at Mount Panorama circuit on October 8-11.
RESULTS: L&H 500
1. #2 Will Davison/Garth Tander – 113 laps
2. #888 Craig Lowndes/Jamie Whincup
3. #6 Steve Richards/Mark Winterbottom
4. #17 James Courtney/Steve Johnson
5. #7 Rick Kelly/Todd Kelly
6. #18 Warren Luff/Jonathon Webb
7. #39 Russell Ingall/Tim Slade
8. #22 Craig Baird/Paul Dumbrell
9. #5 Dean Canto/Luke Youlden
10. #9 Alex Davison/Shane Van Gisbergen
14. #11 Jack Perkins/Dale Wood
2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
Championship Points – After Race 17 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2254
2. Will Davison 2083
3. Garth Tander 1738
4. Craig Lowndes 1725
5. Steven Johnson 1590
6. Mark Winterbottom 1574
7. James Courtney 1370
8. Russell Ingall 1364
9. Rick Kelly 1336
10. Lee Holdsworth 1310
26. Jack Perkins 653
29. Dale Wood 452
