19 April 2009 / PERKINS MAKES IT TWO TOP 20 FINISHES IN HAMILTON

Dodo Racing Team driver Jack Perkins has put his 2009 campaign well and truly back on track after recording a second solid score of points in the Hamilton 400 in New Zealand today.

Perkins, who was the innocent victim in two separate crashes in the season-opening Clipsal 500, was determined to open his points account in Hamilton this weekend.

After a steady recovery as a result of an early-race spin yesterday, Perkins again displayed the potential of the #11 Dodo Holden Commodore by finishing in 17th place in Sunday’s 59-lap race.

Perkins started from 24th place and was able to move up the order early, but was soon caught up in an on-track incident, resulting in damage to the front end of his car.

While Perkins initially lost a lap while repairs were made, the second-generation racer was able to gain his lap back and tear up the order and record his second top 20 finish of the event.

This weekend’s two encouraging finishes see Perkins rise to 27th in the 2009 V8 Supercar Championship Series standings and be well on the way to a recovery from his luckless opening event of the season.

Jamie Whincup won today’s second race of the Hamilton 400 in New Zealand today ahead of James Courtney and Steven Johnson.

WHAT JACK HAD TO SAY …

Jack Perkins - #11 Dodo Holden Commodore:

"We had a pretty good start, held station and moved up a couple of spots,” said Perkins.

“Unfortunately we came around a blind corner, a few guys had jammed the brakes on with what looked to be a crash and I had nowhere to go.

“We had a bit of damage and I couldn't see over the bonnet so we had to come in and that caused us to go a lap down.

“We recovered thanks to a good strategy from the team and a great pitstop. We finished in the top 20, which is not a bad recovery from our start at Adelaide.”

2009 V8 Supercar Championship Standings
After Four Races (Sunday, Hamilton 400):
1. Jamie Whincup 600
2. Lee Holdsworth 498
3. Will Davison 483
4. Steven Johnson 462
5. Fabian Coulthard 354
6. Jason Richards 324
7. Rick Kelly 315
8. Garth Tander 285
9. Craig Lowndes 282
10. James Courtney 272
27. Jack Perkins 102

2009 V8 Supercar Teams Standings
1. Team Vodafone 801
2. Holden Racing Team 768
3. Dick Johnson Racing 744
4. Garry Rogers Motorsport 687
5. Brad Jones Racing 555
6. Jack Daniel’s Racing 534
7. Stone Brothers Racing 534
8. Wilson Security Racing 531
9. Ford Performance Racing 441
10. Walkinshaw Racing 402
11. Kelly Racing 261

RESULTS: Race Two
1. #1 Jamie Whincup 59 laps
2. #18 James Courtney
3. #17 Steven Johnson
4. #33 Lee Holdsworth
5. #111 Fabian Coulthard
6. #34 Michael Caruso
7. #22 Will Davison
8. #51 Greg Murphy
9. #2 Garth Tander
10. #4 Alex Davison
17. #11 Jack Perkins

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. #17 Steven Johnson 1:24.1606
2. #18 James Courtney 1:24.2377
3. #6 Steve Richards 1:24.2430
4. #1 Jamie Whincup 1:24.3214
5. #34 Michael Caruso 1:24.2962
6. #33 Lee Holsdworth 1:24.3214
7. #9 Shane Van Gisbergen 1:24.3568
8. #888 Craig Lowndes 1:24.3960
9. #111 Fabian Coulthard 1:24.4171
10. #5 Mark Winterbottom 1:24.4447
24. #11 Jack Perkins 1:24.8739

HAMILTON 400 DETAILS:
Circuit: Hamilton Street Circuit
Location: Hamilton, NZL
Circuit Length: 3.4 kilometres
Format: x2 59-lap races
2008 Polesitter: Steven Richards
2008 Race 1 Winner: Garth Tander
2008 Race 2 Winner: Garth Tander
2008 Race 3 Winner: Garth Tander