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Day three at the 2011 Formula 1 Qantas Australian Grand Prix had
ended with the Australian racing icon still struggling with
over-steer in his exotic racing machine. Extensive modifications
were made to the L'Oreal Men Expert Porsche post race two, with
Skaife looking to start the third and final race with a more
competitive edge.
Starting from sixth, Skaife was up for the challenge from the
green, looking to take fifth from the young Kiwi Reid, the pair
making contact through turn one, but Skaife held the line to secure
fifth position.
Lap two and the multiple champion was settling into the adjusted
Porsche, serious about success and keen to make a charge. With
Barker and Reid coming together and off at turn two, Skaife moved
to fourth, now 1.6 seconds off Richards in third.
Skaife was clearly happier with car, posting the fastest first
sector time on lap three, four tenths faster than race leader, and
reigning series champion Baird. On a hot lap, he went on to post
the fastest second sector, and avoiding debris on the main
straight, set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:59.4500.
Closing the gap to Richards as the field crossed the line to start
lap six, there was now just two tenths covering the lap times of
the top four.
With Patrizi on the hunt over the closing laps, Skaife continued
to fight to catch the lead three, and greeted the chequered flag,
ending the challenges of the weekend in fourth for both the final
race and opening round of the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup
championship.
Mark Skaife
"That felt a lot better, in fact significantly better. It's almost
fast enough now, just needs to be a little more consistent then
we'd have a really competitive race car.
"I really enjoyed it. Obviously I'd rather be up there with Baird
the whole weekend, but that race was much closer and the car felt
good."
Mark Skaife is proudly supported by L'Oreal Men Expert.