ORAN PARK
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:20 pm
The next round of the series brings us to one of my all-time favourite tracks.
As a challenge to the drivers, it is (imho) bettered only by Mount Panorama.
The Track
2:7kms anti-clockwise, with 5 left handers and 6 right.
The start is on the downhill main straight, and many a driver has been pinged for creeping before the green.
Fromm flagfall they reach 190kmh in 5th and hold it thru the left hand sweeper leading to turn 2. On the 1st lap there is often a lot of jostling for position into the breaking area for T2 and many a driver has ended his race right here....either in the bunker on the outside of turn 1-2, or staggering into the infield with major damage
T2 is a tightening left hander leading under the bridge, and there have been occasions where drivers have been unloaded off the track towards the pylons. Late in the race, on soggy tires it is a common place for spins, the cars enter under brakes, and still unbalanced from the exit of T1.
There is a short chute to turn3, a right hander laeding to Konica Corner, usually taken in 3rd at about 100kmh. Between T4 & T5 a concrete wall on the outside waits to suck in the unwary. T5 starts the climb onto the bridge, and features a drain cover just short of the apex, and slightly off line. Believe me, if someone is crowding and nudging, that can play a role in a nasty moment. The track sweeps up right thru T6, onto the bridge. Going over the bridge it is imperative to have the car balanced and online for the short run into the off camber LH T7, which if is not taken correctly, leads to major problems at the LH kink at T8. There is a short uphill chute to turn 9, which is a 4th gear 190kmh turn, then it is up the hill to the dog leg, and the blind crest. They ennter the dogleg at 190 in 4th, braking hard to 110kmh in 3rd before dropping down the hill into the braking area for the turn onto the straight, This braking area starts down hill,and continues uphill into the sweeper onto the straight. For maximun speed onto the straight it is necessary to brush theconcrete wall on the outside as you crest the rise onto the down hill run over the start/finish line. They reach a maximum speed of about 260kmh in 6th. Then it all starts again.
Circuit Stats
Current Qualifying Record.
M Skaife 1.07.4806. Set in 1999
Lap Record
Lowndes 1.08.0631. set in 1999
Past winners
2004 Ambrose
2003 Ambrose
2002 Skaife
2001 Skaife
2000 Skaife
1999 Skaife
1998Lowndes.
WHO WILL WIN ?
Good Luck !
Lowndes won last time out, Ambrose and Rusty were fast. Tander is showing more speed at every outing. Morris usually qualifies well here.
Many a favourite has been punted off before reaching the exit of turn 2.
Skaife has a great record here, and the team fields fast cars. Murphy is fast everywhere, if they get the balance of the car right , he will challenge.
Good Luck with your picks, I have let mine roll since the first round, and that will do for this. The Team that gets their homework right, and is quick from the outset will do well.
As a challenge to the drivers, it is (imho) bettered only by Mount Panorama.
The Track
2:7kms anti-clockwise, with 5 left handers and 6 right.
The start is on the downhill main straight, and many a driver has been pinged for creeping before the green.
Fromm flagfall they reach 190kmh in 5th and hold it thru the left hand sweeper leading to turn 2. On the 1st lap there is often a lot of jostling for position into the breaking area for T2 and many a driver has ended his race right here....either in the bunker on the outside of turn 1-2, or staggering into the infield with major damage
T2 is a tightening left hander leading under the bridge, and there have been occasions where drivers have been unloaded off the track towards the pylons. Late in the race, on soggy tires it is a common place for spins, the cars enter under brakes, and still unbalanced from the exit of T1.
There is a short chute to turn3, a right hander laeding to Konica Corner, usually taken in 3rd at about 100kmh. Between T4 & T5 a concrete wall on the outside waits to suck in the unwary. T5 starts the climb onto the bridge, and features a drain cover just short of the apex, and slightly off line. Believe me, if someone is crowding and nudging, that can play a role in a nasty moment. The track sweeps up right thru T6, onto the bridge. Going over the bridge it is imperative to have the car balanced and online for the short run into the off camber LH T7, which if is not taken correctly, leads to major problems at the LH kink at T8. There is a short uphill chute to turn 9, which is a 4th gear 190kmh turn, then it is up the hill to the dog leg, and the blind crest. They ennter the dogleg at 190 in 4th, braking hard to 110kmh in 3rd before dropping down the hill into the braking area for the turn onto the straight, This braking area starts down hill,and continues uphill into the sweeper onto the straight. For maximun speed onto the straight it is necessary to brush theconcrete wall on the outside as you crest the rise onto the down hill run over the start/finish line. They reach a maximum speed of about 260kmh in 6th. Then it all starts again.
Circuit Stats
Current Qualifying Record.
M Skaife 1.07.4806. Set in 1999
Lap Record
Lowndes 1.08.0631. set in 1999
Past winners
2004 Ambrose
2003 Ambrose
2002 Skaife
2001 Skaife
2000 Skaife
1999 Skaife
1998Lowndes.
WHO WILL WIN ?
Good Luck !
Lowndes won last time out, Ambrose and Rusty were fast. Tander is showing more speed at every outing. Morris usually qualifies well here.
Many a favourite has been punted off before reaching the exit of turn 2.
Skaife has a great record here, and the team fields fast cars. Murphy is fast everywhere, if they get the balance of the car right , he will challenge.
Good Luck with your picks, I have let mine roll since the first round, and that will do for this. The Team that gets their homework right, and is quick from the outset will do well.
