Supercars: Mark Winterbottom happy with switch to minnow
Most thought he had made a career killing move.“That is what is going to happen when you go to a four-car team to a one-car team that is unproven,’’ Mark Winterbottom said.
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Most thought he had made a career killing move.
“That is what is going to happen when you go to a four-car team to a one-
car team that is unproven,’’ Mark Winterbottom said.
“There is going to be speculation and predictions.’’
Winterbottom last year surprised the sport when he walked away from the team that had delivered him both a championship and a Bathurst 1000 to join a V8 minnow.
When he left the powerhouse Tickford Racing to join Charlie Schwerkolt and his one car
team.
“I had belief in Charlie and what he was offering,’’ Winterbottom said.
“I expected to be competitive in round one. I believed it was a strong team with great people
and I believe we could go about against the Mustang at some stage.’’
Charlie Schwerkolt Racing (CRS) finished season 2018 in 21st place. Or sixth last. Founded
in 2016, the team has never even finished on the podium, let alone claimed a win.
And, until last weekend when Winterbottom caused another shock, they had not landed a
pole-position.
“It was awesome to be able to be able to get pole so early on,’’ Winterbottom said.
“I was pretty emotional after getting it because it is quite a big thing.’’
The former Ford man conquered the field in the second qualifying session at Symmons Plains
last Sunday to score a history-making qualifying win for his team.
“I always think I am a chance but to go and do it is another thing,’’ Winterbottom said.
“It all happened pretty quick. To get pole is always a big thing and to challenge for podiums
against the powerhouse team was awesome. It is a pretty cool story I suppose.’’
Winterbottom has gone a long way to validating his decision to leave Tickford Racing after
landing four top-ten finishes this year.
Winterbottom spent 13 years with the Ford-backed team before making the switch that saw
him drive a Commodore for the first time.
“I thought it would be a strong team but I also thought it would take time to get together,’’
Winterbottom said.
“But I didn’t just make the move for results. I thought it would also be a good move in terms
of my state of mind because I needed a change of scenery. I am not arguing with four cars
now and it is all about the one car.
“It is a very good environment for me.’’
Winterbottom narrowly missed out on a podium last weekend when he finished the first of
the Tasmanian races in fourth place and the second in sixth .
The Sydney-born pilot is hoping to make the podium breakthrough for his team this weekend
when the championship continues at Phillip Island, beginning Friday.
“We certainly haven’t accomplished what we want to yet,’’ Winterbottom said.
“That was just the start. We had a good result and a strong weekend but that just showed the
potential we have and what is to come.’’
Originally published as Supercars: Mark Winterbottom happy with switch to minnow
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