Ambrose To Start From Second Row At Grand Prix V8 Event
4/3/2004 19:36 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose will start from fourth position in tomorrow's
opening 10-lap race at the non-championship support event at the Australian Grand
Prix at Melbourne's Albert Park.
Pole position went to Greg Murphy ahead of Mark Skaife and Jason Bright.
Ambrose jumped from seventh to fourth in the top-10 shootout and is sure there's
more to come from his Pirtek Racing Falcon.
"Yeah it was good to move up and it'll be a good race down to that tight first
turn," said Ambrose.
"The car's pretty good, but we only had the one 30-minute practice before qualifying
and we made quite a few changes between then and qualifying.
"The car was better for the shootout, although I did have to make some adjustments
in the car during the one-lap dash.
"Importantly it's going to be good for the race and I'm happy to start the season
on a positive note."
Today's warm and windy conditions made the Albert Park circuit slippery with
most teams chasing the ideal set-up.
One to impress was Team Betta Electrical's Paul Radisich who qualified fourth
before slipping back to eighth in the shootout.
"This is a brand new car, so we're pleased to be strong straight out of the box,"
said Radisich.
"I do need to work on my shootout form, but still to start near the front in
what will be a dog fight is important.
"It's been good to get back behind the wheel, now it's time to get ourselves
back into race mode and chase a top result."
The opening 10-lap race is set down for 3.25pm tomorrow, then a 100km (19-lap)
second race is on Saturday at 4pm, with the final 10-lap race on Sunday morning
at 10.35am.
Top-10 for the V8 support event at the Australian Grand Prix
1. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
2. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
3. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore
4. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
5. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore
6. Garth Tander - Valvoline Cummins Racing - Holden Commodore
7. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
8. Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
9. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
10. Simon Wills - Team Dynamik - Holden Commodore
Details for Australian Grand Prix Support Event
Race 1 (10 laps - 53km) - Friday 5 March - 3.25pm
Race 2 (19 laps - 100.7km) - Saturday 6 March - 4pm
Race 3 (10 laps - 53km) - Sunday 7 March 10.35am
Circuit: Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit, Victoria
Length: 5.3km
Estimated top speed: 275km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 145 km/h
Release Date: 4/03/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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