Brothers Todd and Rick Kelly confirmed the potential of their new V8 Supercar operation after a positive weekend at the season’s first endurance event with fifth place in the L&H 500 at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria today.
The pairing are well-placed for an assault on the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 next month, having proven one of the strongest combinations in the field aboard their #7 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore and finishing a close second in their one and only appearance paired together at Mount Panorama.
The #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore of Todd and Rick Kelly at Phillip Island
It could have been even better for the team-mates, with the combination on course for a podium finish mid-way through the 113-lap race, an encouraging sign just sixth months after Kelly Racing opened its doors.
“All the development has come to play at the right time,” said Todd Kelly.
“We haven’t changed the car since Queensland now and we want to leave it the same for the rest of the year.”
A seatbelt problem in Todd Kelly’s second stint in the Jack Daniel’s Commodore slowed his pace, causing him to lose several positions and vital track position to the leaders.
“When I got in the belt was twisted and it gave me a little bit of aggro,” said Todd Kelly.
“It cut the circulation off in my leg and it was a bit of a rough stint. That cost us a fair bit of track position today so that was a bit unfortunate.”
Kelly was able to alleviate the problem with his belts to improve the circulation to his legs, allowing him to return to his earlier strong pace.
Rick Kelly climbed back aboard for the final stint of the race and was able to reclaim two positions in the final stages, claiming the sixth top five and 15th top 10 finish for Jack Daniel’s Racing so far this season.
“It’s a little bit deflating to have two little mishaps, one with the ballast on Saturday and one with the belts today, cost us a chance at fighting for the win,” said Rick Kelly.
“I think that we’re nine tenths of the way there, particularly at this track with our pace as a team. We just need to sneak that little bit more out of the Jack Daniel’s Commodore and just stop silly little things getting in our way.”
Jack Daniel's Racing driver Ben Collins at Phillip Island
Nathan Pretty and Ben Collins scored an encouraging 18th place finish aboard the #15 Jack Daniel’s Racing Holden Commodore, charging through the pack after starting down the order.
“It’s very different to anything I’ve ever driven and that’s the first time that I’ve done long runs in the car and getting used to how the tyre grip and the degradation of the tyre, swapping from low to full tanks, etc,“ said Collins.
“I know Bathurst is a completely different challenge but I feel a lot better having got a full race weekend under my belt.”
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.
The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 will be held at the iconic Mount Panorama circuit on October 8-11.
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
16. Todd Kelly 1095
48. Nathan Pretty 90
48. Ben Collins 90
