It was a devastating finish for the Holden Racing team and for Jack Perkins and Russell Ingall in the final qualifying race of the Wilson Security Sandown 500, today, as they were involved in two incidents, both the result of mistakes from other drivers.

Qualifying Race 1, contested by co-drivers only, commenced in the usual bump, barge and jostle for positions. Russell Ingall benefited from the turn one concertina of cars ahead and jumped six places to 6th while Warren Luff was not so lucky off the start and dropped back two places to 14th.

Luff struggled with a brake problem for most of the race and on lap 8 found himself in the gravel at turn 9 and lost further positions. While other cars continued to find their way off and on the track, Luff was determined to move up the field and had managed to work his way back to 16th by the chequered flag. Ingall was unchallenged for the remainder of the race and finished 6th.

With the main driver’s back in the cars they started Qualifying Race 2 where their co-drivers had finished. The 20-lap sprint looked promising for the #22 Commodore as Jack Perkins had a good start off the line and solidified his 6th position. There were some nervous moments through the opening corners but Garth Tander weaved his magic and moved up two places from his starting position into 14th.

The race was only five laps in when Perkins was pushed from behind by Lowndes and ended up taking a tour through the gravel. While Lowndes copped a pit lane penalty for the incident, it was little constellation for Perkins who re-joined the race in last place.

Perkins worked hard to make up positions but on lap 18 he was collected by an out of control Heimgartner and suffered heavy damage to the front of his car. While the safety car was called, Perkins’ was forced to limp back to the garage as he was losing water pressure from his engine.

Perkins and Ingall will start from 24th for tomorrow’s 500km race. Meantime Tander, who was still suffering from braking problems in the #2 commodore, soldered on to finish in 12th.

The first race of the PIRTEK Endurance Cup kicks off tomorrow at 1:25pm local time.

Adrian Burgess, Managing Director:
"Clearly a day to forget. Qualifying - although we're not happy if we're not on pole both cars did a decent job. But there's more on the table and we have to find it.”

“Jack was involved in two incidents that had nothing to do with him. To be starting last with a bent car is something we're not happy about. And GT - we have to do a better job. The car isn't in the window and we need find the potential from the car. As a team we need to sort ourselves out and get on with the job."

Warren Luff, #2 Holden Commodore VF:
“It was a bit of a disappointing race for us and it was chaotic in the first few corners, but we seemed to have a reoccurring brake issue which kept sticking its nose in the way during that race. I had an off down at turn 9 because the peddle was starting to go pretty long. So the boys are going through the data at the moment and doing some preliminary changes to the front callipers to get the car ready for Garth."

"The balance off the car was quite good and I think if they can sort the brake issue out I think the car should have good race speed for the next race and I think Garth should be able to charge on and get us into a better spot for Sunday.”

Qualifying Result: 10th
Qualifying Race 1 Result: 16th
Qualifying Race 2 Result: 12th

Russell Ingall, #22 Holden Commodore VF:
“I had a game plan to get the start right today and that was only my second start this year as I only practice once at the test day. The guys gave me a really good run down on how to approach the start so I was well prepared. It’s actually hard here as the traction is terrible off the line because of the bitumen and I was really conscious about not spinning the wheels.”

“I got good start and got in between Luffy and Premat. I wanted to get past them and I did so happy days, but more importantly I wanted get to the inside because whenever there is a shunt it always goes outwards. So I got to the inside and that’s when mayhem happened, then I picked off another two, then another one and I thought this is alright."

“I think experience helped then because I’ve done it myself where you try to be a hero and go around the outside and come unstuck because there has been a crash and I’ve come unstuck. The car was a little nervous and I pushed hard a couple of times and speared off. That’s why I dropped off Canto. But on the upside it seems to get better as the race goes on and our times towards the end were pretty competitive.”

Qualifying Result: 12th
Qualifying Race 1 Result: 6th
Qualifying Race 2 Result: DNF