Team co-drivers Dean Canto, Steve Owen and Garry Jacobson are expected to take part in the additional co-driver practice on Friday.
Mark Winterbottom – #5 The Bottle-O PRA Ford:
“Winton’s good. It’s always been kind to us result wise. I looked at the stats sheet the other day and it said that out of the last seven events there we’ve had seven podiums. Even though it’s our home track we haven’t actually tested there this year. I’m a little bit unsure on how it’s going to go but our history has been good and you always want to do well at your home race. We’re excited. Our season is starting to progress well but a couple of good results before the break are needed.”
Cameron Waters – #6 Monster Energy PRA Ford:
“Really excited to get back to Winton. It’s a bit weird to be going to our test track having not tested there this year. I’m excited to go there and see what our new package is like there this year and kind of measure how we’ve been tracking. If I can keep building on what I’ve been doing so far this year I’ll be happy. The goal is the same, to be in the top 10, finish races and get good results.”
Chaz Mostert – #55 Supercheap Auto PRA Ford:
“I’m really looking forward to going to Winton. It’s got a bit more grip than what we had at Perth and we’ve done plenty of laps around there so it should be good. The guys who we’ve been competing against so far this season are going to be very quick again so hopefully we’ll be able to mix it in there again and give them a good run for their money.”
Jason Bright – #56 MEGA Bulk Fuels PRA Ford:
“I’ve always liked Winton. It’s been a good track to me over the years. The PRA cars were quite strong there last year so I think it should be a good round for us. I’m excited to be going there after some of the improvements we made at Perth. I think we can go there and come out of the box a bit stronger than what we have at the last couple.”
Tim Edwards – Team Principal:
“We were able to put some good stats on the board at Winton last year but this year will be a different challenge. Our cars haven’t tested at Winton this year either so there’s some learning to be done there but I’m optimistic. Continuing our consistency will be a key focus, particularly with such a small margin separating the top five contenders. Winton has been good to us in the past and I hope we can continue that form.”
DATE: 19 – 21 May
LOCATION: Winton, Victoria
EVENT NUMBER: 5 of 14
FORMAT: Friday – 1 x 30min co-driver practice, 2 x 45min practice; Saturday – 1 x 45min practice, 1 x 15min qualifying, 1 x 40-lap race, Sunday – 1 x 20min qualifying, 1 x 67-lap race
LENGTH: 3.0-kilometres
Winton is Prodrive Racing’s home test track and as such is well-known to the team and its drivers. Despite its remote location in rural north-eastern Victoria the track is one of the longest-serving on the calendar and combines a broad combination of corners on its relatively short layout. Fast, flowing turns sit alongside tighter turns and a hairpin to provide a true test of a car’s handling.
TRACK RECORD: 1m19.70s – Fabian Coulthard (2016)
PRA BEST RESULT: 1st – Jason Bright (2006), Mark Winterbottom (2013, 2014, 2015), Chaz Mostert (2015)
