Friday practice for Round 3 of the 2010 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series was ‘interrupted’ today as a last minute invitation to sample the Castrol / Paul Morris Motorsport VE Commodore. The car normally piloted by Greg Murphy was Blanchard’s for 10 laps during the first Rookie and Co driver session in the main V8 Supercar practice.

After a solid round at Queensland and a stated desire by Tim to take up Paul Morris’ challenge, it was a great reward and indeed a great gesture by the Castrol Team owner.

Blanchard put in a 10 lap stint before handing the car back to Murphy. His best lap of 1.23.6 ranked him 17^th in the 28 car field. ‘The chance to drive the Castrol car today was fantastic. I really have to thank Paul and the whole team.’ Blanchard said after the session

But it was back to business for Tim with a Championship to focus on and the newly livered Sirromet Wines Sonic Falcon was on the pace in both 40 minute sessions. Blanchard ran strongly in the early morning session finishing in 2^nd place and backed it up again in the afternoon with a fine 3^rd place. What was pleasing was the fact that many of his primary competitors in the Fujitsu Series ran new tyres late in the day. The Sonic team however focused on a long run to tune the car and were rewarded for their efforts with an overall P2 for the day.

QUOTES FROM TIM BLANCHARD AFTER FRIDAY PRACTICE

‘Today was a very important day for me. To run the Greg Murphy PMM car in the main game practice in my rookie year was pretty special. But to also run at the front of the Fujitsu Series field in both practice sessions also showed we are making real progress early in the season’

‘Our aim is to finish every race, gain the points and see if we are a real chance at the Championship later in the year. So far, so good but there is along way to go.’

Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series Round 3 – Winton Motor Raceway

Saturday – Qualifying – 9.35am Race 1 – 2.10pm 

Sunday – Race 2 – 9.00am Race 3 – 4.20pm

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