Surfers Paradise: Kelly Racing race 2 report

ALEX TAGLIANI NOT HAPPY WITH INGALL ALTERCATION

Rock Racing driver Alex Tagliani was not pleased with V8 veteran Russell Ingall after the pair clashed in the final race of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 at the Surfers Paradise street circuit in Queensland today.

The IndyCar Series pilot started from 22nd position in the #11 Rock Commodore he shared with Jason Bargwanna and the driver known as 'Tags' drove up to fifth place in an impressive first stint of the race.

But his chances of a strong finish, and potentially the crown as the highest point scoring international for the event, were ruined when he was hit from behind and spun into the concrete wall on the exit of the final turn by Ingall.

Tony Ricciardello and Dale Wood drove the #16 Stratco Commodore to its best finish of the season on the Gold Coast today with an 18th place finish.

The duo, both in their first ever event at the demanding Surfers Paradise layout, drove a smart and steady race as many more experienced drivers crashed around them.

Jamie Whincup and Steve Owen won today's second race of the Armor All Gold Coast 600 just ahead of Shane Van Gisbergen and John McIntyre, with Winterbottom and Luke Youlden finishing in third place.

The next event of the 2010 V8 Supercar Championship Series is the Falken Tasmania Challenge at Symmons Plains Raceway near Launceston on November 12-14.

KELLY RACING QUOTEBOARD:

JASON BARGWANNA - #11 Rock Holden Commodore

"It was a shame that our race was ruined through no fault of our own," said Jason Bargwanna.

"Tags was doing a great job out there and drove up from 22nd into fifth. He really came on out there and did a great job for us this weekend.

"The Rock Commodore sustained damage to the rear end in the crash so we lost 10 laps or so fixing it and I just went back out there to circulate and score some points for the championship."

ALEX TAGLIANI - #11 Rock Holden Commodore

"We were having a pretty good race and went from 22nd on the grid up to fifth," said Alex Tagliani.

"I was just keeping my nose clean and on a tight track like this that is pretty tough but there was some respectful driving going on out there.

"Brendan (Hogan, Race Engineer - #11 Rock Commodore) did a good job and the boys on the Kelly Racing crew were good.

"A couple of laps after a restart our friend Russell Ingall just pushed us out of the way and crashed us.

"He should retire as soon as possible, or maybe he could come to open-wheel racing in the US and try that sort of driving.

"So the nice thing to do would have been to come and apologise to Bargs and apologise to the guys who have to repair the car.

"So I went to his garage and suggested it ^a but he didn't."

TONY RICCIARDELLO - #16 Stratco Holden Commodore

"We had quite good pace during the race," said Tony Ricciardello.

"We just seemed to lose a bit of consistency with the tyres on the car between different sets.

"The Stratco Commodore had a pretty good run and Dale and I kept it straight to bring it home in the top 20.

"In the end it was a good result and it was a positive end to the weekend. Now we look on to Symmons Plains and aim to better this result there."

DALE WOOD - #16 Stratco Holden Commodore

"To be in the top 20 in this field of drivers is pretty decent," said Dale Wood.

"The Stratco Commodore came home straight and in good condition and performed faultlessly today.

"In these tougher races if you keep it going and use your head you can get a good finish.

"It was good to give the Stratco team a good finish and hopefully the team can carry on this form in the last three events of the year."

-source: kelly racing