V8SDS: Tony D'Alberto Oran Park Satutday notes

D'ALBERTO STORMS TO VICTORY

Tony D'Alberto has stormed to victory after a lightning start in Race 1 of the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series at Oran Park Raceway today.

Starting from 6th grid position D'Alberto got the 'start of the year' and drove around the five cars in front to lead into the first turn.

"As soon as I dropped the clutch I knew it was going to be a great start," D'Alberto said.

"I didn't quite think it would be good enough to get to the lead though.

"I just thought 'awesome start' once I realised I was in the lead," he said.

From there, Tony was not headed as he led Dale Wood and Andrew Thompson for the rest of the race.

Just as Tony began to pull a comfortable lead early, a safety car was called out but it did not hamper the 21 year-old's lead as he pushed on to victory from there.

Tony's closest Series rival, Michael Caruso, finished outside the points after cutting a tyre early in the race, leaving Tony 71 points ahead.

"We just have to keep doing everything right," Tony said.

"Michael had problems today, but it could be us tomorrow, you never know."

Friday's practice efforts were hampered by fuel pressure issues which made it difficult for the team to get a balanced set-up for today's qualifying.

"We had to have a bit of a guess for qualifying," Tony said.

"But we got the race set-up spot on."

Tomorrow's action includes the reverse-top-ten race, which Tony will start from 10th, and the final race in the afternoon.

-credit: trd