Motorsport: Fuel key to Bathurst victory

Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup during practice at Bathurst. Photo / Getty Images

BATHURST - Pitstops and fuel consumption will play a very big part in who holds the Peter Brock Trophy aloft tomorrow afternoon at the 46th running of the Bathurst 1000.

The Australian V8 Supercar series is using E85 - an ethanol based fuel - for the first in its history and no one knows exactly how far a tank is going to last.

Trying to crunch the numbers from previous rounds, the general consensus is each fuel cell will lose around seven to nine laps a load which means an increase in pit stops to between six and seven.

"We think the fuel load, consumption and the extra pit stops will probably be the biggest factor in who wins the race this weekend," said SBR's Ross Stone.

On paper the team to beat has to be Greg Murphy and Mark Skaife, who between them have nine Bathurst wins from a combined 38 starts. However, at Bathurst statistics mean nothing and that old chestnut comes to mind - no matter how fast you are, or good on paper, to be first, first you must finish.

Mt Panorama is an unforgiving mistress who will destroy dreams at the drop of a hat. So, it's the best-prepared team, with the strongest car, the slickest crew, coupled with a good driver of course, that'll win on the day. Oh, and don't forget lady luck.

Thursday's free practice doesn't really mean anything in the scheme of things but it's not a bad indicator as to who will do well come tomorrow.

Topping the time sheets were three-time winners Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup who are going for an unprecedented four wins in a row. Not even the great Brock could accomplish that feat and the TeamVodafone drivers have put their marker out early, posting a 2.07.37 lap.

"The car was great. We messed around with the tyres a bit but the car had great balance," said Whincup. "We didn't expect to go that quick but I don't think any of us [all the drivers] are on the limit yet as we've only each done 10 laps around here.

"Basically today is about learning the circuit and it's great to be back at one of the greatest circuits in the country. It doesn't matter if you're doing a 2.20sec or a 2.07sec lap.

"Over the top scaring yourself every second corner is a sick feeling but it's a good one. I just hope we can capitalise on our good start."

Two Kiwi drivers snuck into the top five fastest on the opening day at the mountain with Steve Richards (driving with Mark Winterbottom) and Jason Richards (driving with Cameron McConville) just hundredths of a second apart.

"Listening to the press conference it appears we were the only ones who were on old tyres the whole time," said Jason Richards. "There's three quarters of a second left in this thing [his car] and with a green set of tyres we'd be in touch with Whincup.

"We're looking a bit cheeky at the moment and having missed out to Jamie and Craig by about 2.5secs the last couple times at Bathurst, you'd think we'd be able to find that over six hours of racing."

The war of words has already started and a mini spat ensued Thursday afternoon. FPR's Mark Winterbottom accused Kelly Racing's Rick Kelly of storming into his garage about an alleged incident on the mountain where Winterbottom was weaving all over the track and holding Kelly up. "It'll be a long four days for Rick if he's angry on day one," said Winterbottom.

Kelly said in reply, "We got held up on one of our faster laps and I just went down [FPR garage] and had a chat to Tim Edwards and asked him what the issue was and we should give each other a bit of room.

"I certainly didn't wave my fist at him, I'm not likely to take my hand off the steering wheel up there.

"We're here to do a job"