Reindler welcomes NZ return

PREVIEW: Karl Reindler Racing, ITM 400, Hamilton, New Zealand
Race 5/6, 2011 V8 Supercar Championship Series (April 15-17)
13 April, 2011

There may have been a break in the V8 Supercar program since round two at Clipsal in Adelaide, but Fair Dinkum Homes  Sheds Racing's Karl Reindler has been by no means short of race miles, with the annual non-Championship race at the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix [March 24-27], and some valuable laps of the Barbagallo circuit in Perth [April 9-10].

"The Grand Prix was fun," Karl admitted, "and we learnt some valuable lessons that we will apply to the Championship series at Hamilton [NZ] this weekend.

"I also had the opportunity to do some miles in a K-Tec Motorsport Porsche 997 GT3 Cup Car at my home circuit [Barbagallo] ahead of the round there later in the month [April 29-May 1].

"It went pretty well," Karl admitted matter-of-factly having qualified comfortably on pole before setting the fastest lap in each race on his way to three straight victories..

"It had been a long time since I've run around Barbagallo, and I'd never had a chance to punt a Porsche GT3 Cup Car before either, so it was a nice weekend and gives me some good background knowledge heading back to Perth for the fourth event of the season," he admitted.

This weekend though it's back to New Zealand for the annual Hamilton ITM 400, the scene of two strong results for Reindler, early in his maiden season.

"I love the Hamilton circuit, it's a nice mix of corners, quite technical and very physical," Karl admitted. "It was a struggle last year without power steering, but the car should be spot on this time round. I've been doing some more training since Clipsal and I'm fitter than ever at the moment and I love driving on the soft tyre compound, so it should be an exciting weekend."

Heading to team-mate Jason Richards' home venue immediately after Richards' 35th birthday has given the whole Brad Jones Racing team some new incentive ahead of the Hamilton event..

"Jason's going through some tough times at the moment, so we'll all be fighting for a good result for him - he already has such a positive attitude, and a good result at his home track in front of his home crowd would definitely put a smile on his face."

For the Fair Dinkum Sheds driver the Hamilton weekend also sees him back on the soft tyre compound, something he has come to terms with a lot quicker than a number of the drivers on the championship circuit.

"I love the soft tyre compound," Karl agreed, "it really suits my driving style and promotes confidence. There is only a small window of opportunity [to get the best from the tyre], but I think if I can find some clear space in qualifying, there's no reason why we can't be in the top 15.  It's only qualifying that has been holding us back, so who knows, with our race pace and a start further forward on the grid, it could be the perfect 26th birthday present.."

Karl turns 26 immediately after the event [Monday April 18].

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2011 V8 Supercar Championship Series (points after round four)
1. Jamie Whincup (Holden) - 567 points
2. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) - 423
3. Garth Tander (Holden) - 363
4. Alex Davison (Ford) - 348
5. Fabian Coulthard (Holden) - 345
6. Craig Lowndes (Holden) - 336
7. Shane van Gisbergen (Ford) - 327
8. Rick Kelly (Holden) - 321
9. Will Davison (Ford) - 306
10. Jason Bright (Holden) - 294

22. Karl Reindler (Fair Dinkum Homes  Sheds Holden Commodore) - 174
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2011 V8 Supercar Championship Series Calendar  Rnd#1 - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi (February 12) - KRR; DNF
Rnd#2 - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi (February 13 - KRR; 11th
Rnd#3 - Clipsal 500, Adelaide (March 19) - KRR; 19th
Rnd#4 - Clipsal 500, Adelaide (March 20) - KRR ;17th
Non-champ. - Australian F1 Grand Prix (March 24-27) - KRR; 18th / 19th / 15th
Rnd#5 - ITM 400, Hamilton, NZ (April 16)
Rnd#6 - ITM 400, Hamilton, NZ (April 17)
Rnd#7 - Trading Post Perth Challenge (April 30)
Rnd#8 - Trading Post Perth Challenge (May 1)
Rnd#9 - Winton Motor Raceway, VIC (May 21)
Rnd#10 - Winton Motor Raceway, VIC (May 22)
Rnd#11 - Skycity Triple Crown, Darwin (June 18)
Rnd#12 - Skycity Triple Crown, Darwin (June 19)
Rnd#13 - Sucrogen Townsville 400 (July 9)
Rnd#14 - Sucrogen Townsville 400 (July 10)
Rnd#15 - City of Ipswich 300 (August 20)
Rnd#16 - City of Ipswich 300 (August 21)
Rnd#17 - L 500, Phillip Island, VIC (September 18)
Rnd#18 - Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, NSW (October 9)
Rnd#19 - Armor All Gold Coast 600 (October 22)
Rnd#20 - Armor All Gold Coast 600 (October 23)
Rnd#21 - Falken Tasmania Challenge (November 12)
Rnd#22 - Falken Tasmania Challenge (November 13)
Rnd#23 - Norton 360 Sandown Challenge (November 19)
Rnd#24 - Norton 360 Sandown Challenge (November 20)
Rnd#25 - Sydney Telstra 500 (December 3)
Rnd#26 - Sydney Telstra 500 (December 4)

ITM 400, Hamilton - Race Shedule   The following times are New Zealand Standard Time (AEST +4 hours)

Friday April 15, 2011   Practice 1; 10:05am - 10:35am
Practice 2; 12:35pm - 1:05pm
Practice 3; 2:15pm - 2:45pm
Practice 4; 3:50pm - 4:20pm

Saturday April 16, 2011   Qualifying ; 10:20am - 10:40am
Top 10 Shootout; 11:45am - 12:15pm
Race One (V8SC Series Race 5) - 59 laps; 3:05pm

Sunday April 17, 2011   Qualifying; 11:00am - 11:20am
Race Two (V8SC Series Race 6) - 59 laps*; 3:05pm
*59 laps or 1 lap after 4:45pm

TELEVISION SCHEDULE
SEVEN NETWORK   Please check local guides for confirmation;

Saturday April 16, 2011
1:30pm - 5:00pm: Qualifying, Top 10 Shootout and Race 5

Sunday April 17, 2011
1:00pm - 3:00pm: Qualifying and Race 6

RACE REPLAYS - SPEED CHANNEL (FOXTEL Channel 505)
Please check local guides for confirmation;

Saturday April 16, 2011: 9:30pm - 11:00pm (Race 1 Highlights)
Sunday April 17, 2011: 12:30pm - 2:00pm (Race 1 Highlights)
Monday April 18, 2011: 8:30am - 10:00am (Race 1 Highlights)
Monday April 18, 2011: 10:00pm - 11:30am (Race 2 Highlights)