V8SDS: Optima Sport Oran Park Saturday notes

TOUGH DAY AT THE ORAN PARK OFFICE FOR OPTIMA

Optima Sport endured a tough day at the office during round four of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship at Oran Park Raceway today.

After showing promising speed during practice yesterday the newly formed team was confident of remaining inside the top ten but an overnight change didn't reap the rewards David Clark was hoping for and qualified 14th in the 38-car field

"Everyone in the team is continually learning, including me. We made some minor changes after yesterday's session but we also thought I would be able to find some more time if I changed my driving style slightly, but it wasn't to be," said Clark after qualifying.

"I still had a lot of trouble turning the car into the corner and was losing over half a second in the first sector."

With the opening race a 16-lap encounter making up early positions was vital for Clark to claw his way into the top ten. The four-time Australian karting champion made an impressive start to be in 12th position by the end of the opening lap. At the same time the safety car was deployed to allow the retrieval of Geoff Emery's stranded car.

At the restart on lap 5 Clark made contact with Brett Hobson during the opening turn which resulted in Hobson spinning into the path of the Optima Sport Falcon, and several other vehicles.

Clark was later given a drive-through penalty for his part in the incident. He was later forced into the pit area to allow the team to replace the damaged front spoiler on his Optima Sport Falcon.

"It was disappointing to receive the drive through penalty," said Clark.

"There was a fair bit of push and shove out there in all directions. Hobson locked up in front of me and was sideways entering the turn and by the time I had nudged him he was well on his way to spinning."

With repairs completed Clark returned to the circuit with two laps remaining and was classified 34th.

Adam Macrow continued his impressive form of 2006 to win today's race ahead of fastest qualifier Michael Caruso and Nathan Pretty.

Tomorrow's action will include two races. Due to today's result Clark will start on pole position for the reverse-grid 16-lap encounter at 10:00am. The round will be completed with a 28-lap feature in the afternoon.

-credit: www.optimasport.com.au