Winton: Hi-Tec Oils Racing Saturday notes

WOOD SAVES SOFT TYRE OPTION FOR SUNDAY

Hi-Tec Oils Racing driver Dale Wood is looking forward to tomorrow's second race of the weekend after a 24th placed finish at Winton Motor Raceway in rural Victoria today.

Wood was one of several drivers electing not to use his softer 'option' tyres in today's 33-lap race, making a solid finish the priority for Saturday.

Unfortunately for Wood, contact from other cars on more than one occasion halted his progress, but nevertheless the V8 Supercar rookie was able to bring the #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore home and score vital championship points.

Wood will now be able to use the faster, but less durable, soft Dunlop option tyre in the second race tomorrow, making for an interesting night of strategy discussion for the Hi-Tec Oils Racing crew tonight as they decide when and how to use the 'ace up their sleeve'.

Craig Lowndes won today's fifth race of the championship at Winton, ahead of Jamie Whincup and Steven Richards.

WHAT DALE HAD TO SAY ...

Dale Wood - #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore:

"We were looking for a solid finish in today's race in the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore," said Wood.

"Saving our soft tyres for Sunday's race means we have something up our sleeve for tomorrow, so today we wanted to keep our nose clean.

"Unfortunately, I got hit on the first lap and had a couple of other altercations out there with people pushing too hard.

"We got the Hi-Tec Oils Commodore home and we will make some repairs overnight.

"Tomorrow we've got a bit to look forward to with the soft tyres up our sleeve. I'm not too sure how many people have them left so it will be interesting to see how it plays out tomorrow."

-credit: h-tor