FORD READY FOR 2004 V8 OPENER IN ADELAIDE
16/3/2004 17:13 (Press Release) -
For the first time since 1998, a Ford Falcon will start the V8 Supercar Championship
Series with the number 1 on the door and the defence of that title gets underway
this weekend at the Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide.
Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) is the man everyone will be gunning for
in the twin 250km races.
Ambrose is the Blue Oval's third overall champion since the inception of the
V8 Supercar formula in 1993. Glenn Seton took two titles in 1993 and'97 and John
Bowe won the 1995 crown. Ambrose has the opportunity to be the first Ford driver
to score back-to-back championships.
The winner of six of 13 rounds in 2003, the Tasmanian wants the Clipsal crown,
especially after coming close last year when he won the opening race. In the
event's five-year history no Ford driver has won the Clipsal 500 overall.
"Saturday was great, but Sunday we had some suspension dramas and I ended up
against the wall," said Ambrose.
"It was a high and low weekend, but we're determined to bring the car home this
weekend and get our championship challenge off to a strong start.
"Taking the title last year was awesome and winning six rounds was beyond expectations.
My goal this year is to enjoy being champion and take each race at a time.
"I want to win in Adelaide, make no mistake that's my immediate goal. However,
it's a long year and I don't want to think about back-to-back titles yet.
"The challenge is going to be huge. The opposition want the title back, and the
other boys driving Fords are also determined to take the crown.
"The big winners are going to be the fans, who I guarantee will see a great event
this weekend in Adelaide."
With officials confirming the same points scoring system as last year, with the
exception of the dropping of the worst round, 2004 will again reward teams and
drivers that are consistent.
One of the drivers sure to figure in that mix will be Orrcon Steel Racing's Jason
Bargwanna.
New to Ford in 2003, Bargwanna enjoyed a great run over the final two rounds
of the championship with top-five finishes. He backed that up at the recent non-championship
V8 event at the Australian Grand Prix with another fifth overall.
"Mr top-five they should call me right now," said Bargwanna.
"With our points system, I'll be more than happy to be consistently in the top-five,
as well as score some podiums and even eye off a victory somewhere along the
line.
"Our team has come a long way in the past 12 months. Going from a single to two
entries, new cars, new engines, new drivers, but most importantly a resolve to
have success in this category.
"I have made a long-term commitment to the team and together we're determined
to be fighting at the front.
"Adelaide has two very long races. You need to have a good car, solid pit stops
and in the warm conditions, a very fit driver. I'm confident we've covered off
all those challenges."
Each race features separate compulsory pit stops for tyres and fuel.
The 2004 Clipsal 500 starts on Thursday, with the V8 Supercar Championship Series
cars hitting the track for practice, qualifying and top-10 shootout on the Friday.
Saturday and Sunday's 250km (78 lap) race start at 2pm.
Race fans will have the opportunity to dine and chat with their favourite Falcon
driver at the first of this year's Ford V8 Superbreakfasts at Adelaide's Hyatt
Regency on Thursday 18 March from 7.30am.
The Ford V8 Superbreakfast includes exclusive driver interviews, live show entertainment,
highlights of the 2003 season, special gifts and giveaways.
One of the highlights is the raffle prize of a hot lap of the Adelaide street
circuit with Steve Ellery of Super Cheap Auto Racing. All proceeds go to Breast
Cancer Research.
Tickets are priced at $80 (plus booking fee) and can be booked through Bass Ticketing
at or call 131-246 throughout
Australia
Details for Clipsal 500:
Top 10 Shootout Friday 19 March - 4.35pm
Race 1 (78 laps - 251.16 km) Saturday 20 March - 2pm
Race 2 (78 laps - 251.16 km) Sunday 21 March - 2pm
Circuit: Adelaide V8 Street Circuit
Length: 3.22km
Lap Records:
Qualifying Skaife 1:22.1273 (2002)
Shootout Skaife 1:22.7698 (2002)
Race Skaife 1:23.2731 (2003)
Estimated top speed: 250km/h - Adelaide Straight
Estimated average speed: 130 km/h
Ford's V8 Line-up for the Clipsal 500
#1 Marcos Ambrose Pirtek Racing
#9 Russell Ingall Caltex Havoline Racing
#5 Glenn Seton Ford Credit/FPV Ford Performance Racing
#6 Craig Lowndes CAT Ford Performance Racing
#10 Jason Bargwanna Orrcon Steel Racing
#20 Mark Winterbottom Orrcon Steel Racing
#12 John Bowe OzEmail Race Team
#21 Brad Jones OzEmail Race Team
#17 Steve Johnson Shell Helix Racing
#18 Warren Luff Shell Helix Racing
#23 David Besnard WPS Racing
#31 Steve Ellery Super Cheap Auto Racing
#88 Paul Radisich Team Betta Electrical
#888 Max Wilson Team Betta Electrical
Release Date: 16/03/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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