FRUSTRATION FOR MARSHALL IN QUEENSLAND

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IRWIN Racing's Marcus Marshall has endured a tough weekend at the seventh round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series, the City of Ipswich 400 at Queensland Raceway.

Marshall didn't complete any of the three races after suffering gear=ox problems in race #1, crash damage in race #2 and brake issues in the final race of the weekend.

The accident in race #2 was especially frustrating after Marshall coll=ded with his teammate Jason Bright (Fujitsu Racing), who had spun in front of the IRWIN Racing Ford.

The IRWIN Racing crew worked throughout the 90-minute break to get the=Falcon back on track after replacing the front and rear bumpers, headlamps and taillights and associated parts.

The hard work was not rewarded with a finish in the final race when Ma=shall left the circuit twice after major brake issues.

‘It was a very average weekend,’ said Marshall.

‘Although we are struggling with results, the guys are very resilien= and determined to start the march up the order.

‘We will soldier onto Winton and look towards a far better result.

‘Ironically we probably need to get to a cold weather circuit to get=hot! Our car works better in cooler conditions and with the snow fresh off the Victorian Alps I can think of no better place to be heading.’

Race Engineer Marcus Clarke was disappointed with the result, but sati=fied with the progress in the car.

‘The car is good and the balance is there. We just need to work on=a bit of speed,’ said Marshall.

‘Marcus did a good job behind the wheel and both he and I will conti=ue to work on improving our engineering communications.

‘Winton is our test track and the car should be strong. With an em=hasis on handling and not outright speed it will suit our car.

‘I can't think of a better place to be heading for the next round.=We know the track and although plenty of other teams test there we are confident of being far more competitive.’

The Winton round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series will be held o= August 1-3 at the Central Victorian circuit.

2008 V8 Supercar Championship Series
Round 7, City of Ipswich 400, Queensland Raceway, Ipswich, Queensland

Championship Standings after 7 of 14 rounds
1. Mark Winterbottom ˜ 1694 points
2. Garth Tander - 1572
3. Jamie Whincup - 1486
4. Rick Kelly - 1312
5. Steven Richards - 1299
6. James Courtney - 1211
7. Craig Lowndes - 1175
8. Will Davison - 1154
9. Russell Ingall - 1061
10. Lee Holdsworth - 1016
26. Marcus Marshall ˜ 464

RESULTS: Round Points ˜ Top Ten
1. Mark Winterbottom ˜ 292 points
2. Russell Ingall ˜ 264
3. James Courtney ˜ 260
4. Garth Tander ˜ 240
5. Will Davison ˜ 216
6. Jamie Whincup ˜ 210
7. Mark Skaife ˜ 182
8. Steve Richards ˜ 176
9. Fabian Coulthard ˜ 166
10. Cameron McConville ˜ 142
29. Marcus Marshall ˜ 0

RESULTS: Race Three
1. Mark Winterbottom
2. James Courtney
3. Russell Ingall
4. Garth Tander
5. Will Davison
6. Jamie Whincup
7. Craig Lowndes
8. Fabian Coulthard
9. Mark Skaife
10. Lee Holdsworth
DNF. Marcus Marshall

RESULTS: Race Two
1. Mark Winterbottom
2. Russell Ingall
3. Jamie Whincup
4. Garth Tander
5. Will Davison
6. James Courtney
7. Steven Richards
8. Fabian Coulthard
9. Cameron McConville
10. Mark Skaife
DNF. Marcus Marshall

RESULTS: Race One
1. James Courtney
2. Mark Winterbottom
3. Russell Ingall
4. Garth Tander
5. Mark Skaife
6. Will Davison
7. Steven Richards
8. Rick Kelly
9. Jamie Whincup
DNF. Marcus Marshall

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. Jame s Courtney - 1:10.735
2. Mark Winterbottom - 1:10.7438
3. Russell Ingall - 1:10.8066
4. Craig Lowndes - 1:10.8503
5. Mark Skaife - 1:10.8887
6. Garth Tander - 1:10.9096
7. Will Davison - 1:10.9279
8. Jason Richards - 1:10.9303
9. Jamie Whincup - 1:11.1371
27. Marcus Marshall