Hi-Tec Oils Racing driver Mark McNally is excited to be heading to his home event, the Bigpond 300 at Bargaballo Raceway, in Wanneroo near Perth, Western Australia this weekend.
McNally enters his eighth V8 Supercar Championship Series event this weekend, and it will be his first V8 Supercar race at his home track.
The West Aussie lives in Mosman Park in Perth, but having focused his racing on the Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series in recent years, it will be the first race for McNally at Barbagallo in quite some time.
The penultimate event on this year’s schedule, McNally is keen to continue his improvement in Perth this weekend ahead of the season finale, the Sydney Telstra 500 on December 4-6.
WHAT MARK HAD TO SAY …
Mark McNally - #16 Hi-Tec Oils Holden Commodore:
“It’s definitely been a steep learning curve and a tough year so far,” said Mark McNally.
“But I feel like I’m starting to find my feet and improve my race pace.
“I’m looking forward to getting back to a track I know well in Barbagallo.
“It will be good to have local friends, sponsors and supporters there on the weekend.
“The strange thing is that I haven’t raced at Barbagallo for about four years.
“It has its challenges still – I haven’t race a V8 Supercar there at all.
“So I’m really looking forward to getting out there in the Hi Tec Oils Commodore at my home track.
“I’ve driven around there so many times but it will be a real thrill to drive around there in a Supercar.”
QUESTION: What do you think of the announcement that the WA State Government will contribute $5million to the redevelopment of Barbagallo Raceway?
“I think it is good thing for WA motorsport,” said Mark McNally.
“There had been some talk about street circuit and things like that in WA and big street events do have their advantages.
“But Barbagallo is the home of motorsport in Western Australia so it’s a good thing for everyone on the local scene.
“The V8 Supercar meeting generates revenue that keeps the circuit going for the rest of the year so it’s important to keep that event.
“Those funds help the local level of motorsport and it’s definitely important to protect the grassroots.
“The track has got a fair bit of character and fair few good corners.
“The facilities in the pits are lacking so to freshen that up, and also look at any potential for some kind of track extension, should see the V8s come back for many years.”
2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Points Standings after Race 22 of 26
1. Jamie Whincup 2905
2. Will Davison 2783
3. Garth Tander 2565
4. Craig Lowndes 2292
5. Mark Winterbottom 1964
6. Steven Johnson 1961
7. Rick Kelly 1925
8. Lee Holdsworth 1817
9. James Courtney 1790
10. Russell Ingall 1676
30. Mark McNally 458
