Global Jet driver Michael Trimble was aiming to celebrate his 24th birthday by finishing on the podium at round five of the 2008 Fujitsu V8 Supercar Series this weekend, however, sometimes things just don't go to plan.

The round started on a high with Trimble qualifying as the highest placed rookie in fifth place. During the opening 14-lap race he maintained his spot near the front of the field to cross the line in fourth position, again the highest placed rookie.

Unfortunately, today's action didn't pan out as per the script for the weekend.

After making a start that drag racer Victor Bray would have been proud of in his Top Doorslammer in this morning's race, the Global Jet racer had moved from seventh on the grid to be making a pass for second spot entering turn one. However, he was caught out by the slippery surface on the inside of the track and speared off the circuit shortly after.

Such was the impact when Trimble ran off the circuit it damaged the steering on the Global Jet Commodore and he was forced to watch the remainder of the race on the sidelines, his first DNF of 2008.

"All year I've been working hard on my starts and during the weekend I got some crackers but in race two it didn't count for much as I slid off through turn one after braking on the slippery side of the track," said Trimble.

Starting from 14th position in the final race Trimble made some good early positions and within a handful of laps was holding down a spot just outside the top ten. Unluckily though, he was one of a number of drivers that slid off the circuit when a fellow competitor had engine troubles and dropped oil on the track.

As a consequence Trimble speared off the circuit and the rear of the Global Jet Commodore made heavy contact with the concrete barrier.

"The guy in front of me locked up the brakes and I couldn't see anything, then all of a sudden it felt like I was driving on ice and my car was spinning before hitting the wall hard," said Trimble.

"It is a very disappointing end to the weekend as not only did I suffer two DNFs but also because the rear of the car is pretty badly damaged. However, it's now time to turn my focus towards a test day and the final two rounds of the championship at Bathurst and Oran Park."

This weekend's round was won by experienced V8 Supercar competitor Steve Owen ahead of Jack Perkins and David Reynolds. Trimble was classified 21st for the round.

With two rounds remaining Owen holds a commanding lead in the championship standings with a 268 point gap over Reynolds and Dean Canto. Trimble is currently eighth on 834 points.

The penultimate round in the championship will be held in conjunction with the Supercheap Auto 1000 at Mount Panorama in Bathurst on October 9-12.

Fujitsu V8 Supercar Championship Series
Championship Points after Round 5 of 7
1. Steve Owen 1348
2. David Reynolds 1080
3. Dean Canto 1054
4. Jonathon Webb 1008
5. Karl Reindler 882
6. Jack Perkins 880
7. Dale Wood 843
8. Michael Trimble 834
9. Grant Denyer 816
10. Tim Slade 779

Overall Round Points
1. Steve Owen 292
2. Jack Perkins 270
3. David Reynolds 246
4. Dean Canto 244
5. Jonathon Webb 208
6. Tim Slade 200
7. Karl Reindler 186
8. Geoff Emery 154
9. Mark McNally 146
10. Brett Holdsworth 138
21. Michael Trimble 80

RESUTLS: Race Three
1. Steve Owen 14 laps
2. Jack Perkins
3. David Reynolds
4. Jonathon Webb
5. Dale Wood
6. Tim Slade
7. Dean Canto
8. Mark McNally
9. Karl Reindler
10. Brett Holdsworth
12. Damian Assaillit
DNF Michael Trimble - 6 laps

RESULTS: Race Two
1. Steve Owen
2. Jack Perkins
3. David Reynolds
4. Dean Canto
5. Karl Reindler
6. Tim Slade
7. Geoff Emery
8. Jonathon Webb
9. Dale Wood
10. Drew Russell
DNF. Michael Trimble

RESULTS: Race One
1. Dean Canto � 14 laps
2. Steve Owen
3. Jack Perkins
4. Michael Trimble
5. David Reynolds
6. Jonathan Webb
7. Tim Slade
8. Geoff Emery
9. Karl Reindler
10 .Sam Walter

RESULTS: Qualifying
1. Steve Owen 1:24.0427
2. Dean Canto 1:24.1499
3. Jack Perkins 1:24.2978
4. Dale Wood 1:24.7266
5. Michael Trimble 1:24.8719
6. David Reynolds 1:24.9212
7. Sam Walter 1:25.1072
8. Tim Slade 1:25.1307
9. Jonathan Webb 1:25.1992
10. Geoff Emery 1:25.2034