Todd Kelly

Kelly, who was second fastest in qualifying prior to the shootout, started today's 34-lap race on the soft ‘option' tyres before switching to the control tyre at his pit stop on lap 16.

The result moved the 29-year-old up two spots in the V8 Supercar Championship Series standings into 20th position. 

Rick Kelly qualified in 18th position aboard his #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore, opting to save his softer ‘option' tyres for tomorrow's race.

As a result, Kelly was one of the highest finishing cars in today's race that completed the journey without using the faster soft tyre, keeping that ace up his sleeve for tomorrow.

To view images from the weekend click here

Crucially for Todd Kelly, he did not use an additional set of tyres in Part C of practice, saving them for qualifying later in the weekend.

Rick Kelly used Part B of practice to work on car set-up options for the #15 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore, before hitting the top of the timesheets part way through Part C of practice as the first driver to break into the one minute and nine seconds time bracket.

Rick Kelly, who finished the day as fifth fastest, is confident ahead of tomorrow's elimination qualifying and 34-lap race, but did flag the idea of allowing each car a set of dedicated, new practice tyres at each event.

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Although we didn't bring home any trophies from Tassie, it was definately the most promising weekend we have had so far this year.

If a few things had of fallen into place we could have seen both Jack Daniels cars on the podium.  The guys have all worked extremely hard on the performance areas of the cars and we are really starting to get somewhere with our pace and consistency.

It was especially great for the team to have the #7 car on the front row of the grid in race 2 and car #15 break the lap record.

Preparations are going to plan for Darwin and I am really looking forward to some warmer weather!

This weekend I am heading to Berri for the SA ski racing titles.

The outboard that Rick and I usually race is in bits at the moment so we are borrowing Dad's 6 litre inboard.  We will be competing in 3 out of the 6 races over the weekend.  I must admit I am not looking forward to jumping in the freezing cold Murray River however a long weekend away will be fantastic.

I will update the website early next week and let you know how we went.

To view photos from the weekend click here

Hope you all enjoy you're weekend too.

All the best,

TK   

Todd Kelly qualified in second position this morning, his best qualifying performance since the Oran Park in 2007 to earn the best starting position for Jack Daniel's Racing this season.

Todd Kelly grabbed the lead momentarily on the opening lap aboard the #7 Jack Daniel's Racing Holden Commodore, before settling into second position.

 To view images from weekend click here

The 29-year-old entered pit lane at the end of the first lap to complete his compulsory 50-litre fuel stop but elected to keep his soft tyres fitted for the entire 42-lap race.

The decision paid off and Kelly, who also survived a door-rubbing clash with James Courtney down the back straight, progressively moved up the order to grab fifth place, his third top 10 finish this season. The finish lifted Kelly four spots in the points into 19th place in the standings.

Meanwhile Rick Kelly smashed the Symmons Plains Raceway V8 Supercar lap record with a 51.4713 second time on lap six of today's race. The previous mark, set in 2005 by Steven Richards, was 52.0170 seconds.

Todd Kelly, who won the Saturday race at the 2.4-kilometre circuit last year, was also able to participate in the first segment of practice, allocated for rookie drivers, endurance event co-drivers and those outside the top 15 in the championship standings.