Bargwanna Rounds Out Weekend With Fifth Place in Final V8 Race at Grand Prix
8/3/2004 2:16 (Press Release) -
Orrcon Steel Racing's Jason Bargwanna has scored back-to-back fifth place finishes
at the non-championship V8 Supercar support event at the Australian Grand Prix
at Melbourne's Albert Park.
After his fighting fifth place finish yesterday, Bargwanna once again showed
the potential of the Orrcon Steel Falcon in the final 10-lap race.
The race was won by Jason Bright ahead of Steven Richards, with Garth Tander
third and Greg Murphy fourth.
For most of the race Bargwanna was holding fourth position, but Greg Murphy forced
his way past with just three laps remaining.
"We made some changes to the car for today's race and it wasn't quite as good
as yesterday," said Bargwanna.
"In saying that we got a great deal out of this weekend. We're confident of having
a strong package for the opening race of the championship in Adelaide in a couple
of weeks.
"Importantly we know the car can get better, and that's got everyone in the team
excited."
Defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) put in the drive
of the race to climb from a starting position of 26th to finish on the bumper
of Bargwanna.
Following many frustrations this weekend, Ambrose picked cars off lap after lap.
He's confident of a strong showing in Adelaide.
"I wish today was twice as long," said Ambrose.
"Yesterday we had leaves clog up our radiator screen and end our challenge, today
the car was a jet.
"We have come away this weekend with a great result and a straight racecar, so
it's all go now for the real championship stuff in Adelaide."
Ford finished the Grand Prix weekend with five cars in the top 10, with Shell
Helix Racing's Steve Johnson in seventh, Steve Ellery (Super Cheap Auto Racing)
in ninth and Caltex Havoline Racing's Russell Ingall rounding out the 10.
Teams will regroup in Adelaide in two weeks time for the opening round of the
2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series, the Clipsal 500.
Split into a 250km race on the Saturday and 250km on the Sunday, the Clipsal
500 is one of the premier events of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Top-10 results for Race #3 of the V8 support event at the Australian Grand Prix
1. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore
2. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore
3. Garth Tander - Valvoline Cummins Racing - Holden Commodore
4. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
5. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA
6. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
7. Steve Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA
8. Paul Weel - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore
9. Steve Ellery - Super Cheap Auto Racing - Ford Falcon BA
10. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA
Release Date: 7/03/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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