BOTH SBR CARS IN THE TOP 10
20/3/2004 7:50 (Press Release) -
Both Stone Brothers Racing Falcons will start in the top seven for the opening race of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship Series at the Clipsal 500 on the streets of Adelaide tomorrow.
Marcos Ambrose was fastest after official qualifying in his Pirtek Falcon, but dropped a couple of spots in the top 10 shootout and will start tomorrow’s opening 250km race from third position and as the highest-positioned Ford.
His SBR teammate Russell Ingall was fifth after qualifying, but also dropped a couple of spots in the shootout in his Caltex Havoline Ford and will start seventh tomorrow.
“It is just goes to show that anything can happen in the shootout,” said Ambrose.
“I think I missed it behind the wheel. I was not as confident with the car as I was in qualifying and the time suffered as a result.
“If I was to do the shootout again I think the result would be much better, unfortunately I cannot do that.
“It’s good to get back into the season proper, it has been a long break for us. I was starting to run out of things to talk about!”
Ingall started the day in great fashion and topped the time sheets in the opening practice and was never outside the top five.
“We just struggled for grip in the one lap flyer,” said Ingall.
“I could not get enough temperature into the tyres and I basically overdrove it.
“It was disappointing not to be higher up the grid after our efforts in the morning sessions, but I think we have a strong race package.
“It is important to get a strong result tomorrow and set ourselves up for a big finish on Sunday.”
Paul Radisich originally qualified in the top 10, but was later relegated to 15th because of an alleged “curb hoping” infringement. The Queensland Ford driver was reinstated into the field for shootout just minutes before the scheduled start time.
Tomorrow’s 78-lap race starts at 2pm local South Australian time (2.30pm EDST); 1.30pm Qld time).
TOP 10 SHOOTOUT
1: Greg Murphy (Holden) 1:22.46
2: Jason Bright (Holden) 1:22.96
3: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 1:23.04
4: John Bowe (Ford) 1:23.06
5: Garth Tander (Holden) 1:23.19
6: Max Wilson (Ford) 1:23.52
7: Russell Ingall (Ford) 1:23.65
8: Steve Ellery (Ford) 1:23.73
9: Paul Radisich (Ford) 1:24.04
10: Simon Wills (Holden) 1:28.39
TRACK FACTS – ADELAIDE STREET CIRCUIT, ADELAIDE
Venue: Parklands, Adelaide, South Australia
2004 Race format: Top 10 Shootout, Race 1 – 78 Laps (Saturday 2pm); Race 2 - 78 Laps (Sunday 2pm);
Circuit Length: 3.22km
Circuit Direction: Clockwise
Average Speed: 130kph
Maximum Speed: 250kph
Qualifying Record: Mark Skaife (Holden VX Commodore, 2002) 1.22.1273
Lap Record: Mark Skaife (Holden VY Commodore, 2003) 1.23.2731
WEEKEND SCHEDULE - ROUND 1, 2004
V8 SUPERCARS
Saturday
11:10am – 11:30am - Warm up
1:30pm – 1:45pm - Cars to grid
2:00pm- 4:15pm - Race 1 - 78 laps
Sunday
10:15am – 10:35am - Warm up
11:15am – 11:25am – Drivers Parade
1:30pm – 1:45pm - Cars to grid
2:00pm- 4:15pm - Race 2 - 78 laps
TV TELECAST - NETWORK TEN
Saturday March 20
1pm-5pm
Sunday March 21
1pm-5pm
Release Date: 19/03/2004
Stone Brothers Racing
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