SBR STRUGGLES IN THE WET AT EASTERN CREEK
14/4/2004 22:07 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing struggled in varying degrees of wet in the second round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Eastern Creek in Sydney today.
The race started under safety car conditions because of constant rain and although it settled a little at different stages of the race, the event was eventually black-flagged on lap 67 because of torrential-like conditions.
Marcos Ambrose finished seventh in the race in his Pirtek Falcon after running towards the front of the field for the majority of the race.
The defending series champion, Ambrose has slipped to second on the points table in the 2004 championship race to Steve Richards 360 to 348.
Russell Ingall was 14th in the Caltex Havoline Ford after never really getting into a grove.
The race was eventually won by Rick Kelly from Craig Lowndes and Garth Tander.
Ambrose was frustrated towards the end of the race and was lucky to escape major damage to his Falcon when Todd Kelly made his way back on to the track after spinning.
Contact was made which spun Kelly again in turn he was then hit at moderate speed by Jason Richards which badly damaged the front of his Commodore.
It was a pretty tough race, said Ambrose.
To finish was really a credit in the end.
We looked pretty good early because we had gone with a half dry set-up, but once the heavy rain came we really struggled.
We really lacked grip and then obviously lacked the speed needed to keep with the leading few.
I am happy to get the points we did and now we have to put our heads down for New Zealand.
For Ingall it is a day he would rather forget.
We went with the wrong set-up and I never really got into a grove, said Ingall.
I have to say they were possibly the toughest 67 laps I have done anywhere.
It was important for us to just try and maintain some track position and keep the points ticking over.
It was a pretty tough day for everyone, especially the fans who stuck it out to the end only to get poured on.
SBR will now re-group and get ready for the next round of the championship which is a Pukekohe in New Zealand on May 1-2.
RACE RESUTS
1: Rick Kelly (Holden) 67 Laps
2: Craig Lowndes (Ford)
3: Garth Tander (Holden)
4: Steve Richards (Holden)
5: Greg Murphy (Holden)
6: Steve Johnson (Ford)
7: Marcos Ambrose (Ford)
8: Jason Bargwanna (Ford)
9: Craig Baird (Holden)
10: Max Wilson (Ford)
11: Paul Morris (Holden)
12: Mark Winterbottom (Ford)
13: Jason Bright (Holden)
14: Russell Ingall (Ford)
15: Glenn Seton (Ford)
16: Simon Wills (Holden)
17: David Besnard (Ford)
18: John Bowe (Ford)
19: Todd Kelly (Holden)
20: Paul Radisich (Ford) 66 Laps
21: Warren Luff (Ford)
22: Mark Skaife (Holden)
23: Brad Jones (Ford)
24: Tony Longhurst (Ford)
25: Cameron McConville (Holden)
26: Anthony Tratt (Holden) 65 Laps
27: Dale Brede (Holden)
28: Mark Porter (Holden) 64 La! ps
29: Paul Weel (Holden) 54 Laps
30: Paul Dumbrell (Holden) 51 Laps
DNF: Jason Richards (Holden) 55 Laps
DNF: Steve Ellery (Ford) 5 Laps
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1: Steve Richards 360
2: Marcos Ambrose 348
3: Rick Kelly 336
4: Greg Murphy 327
5: Jason Bargwanna 270
6: Jason Bright 267
7: Paul Morris 264
8: Craig Baird 258
9: Garth Tander 223
10: John Bowe 216
11: Russell Ingall 204
12: Steve Johnson 201
13: David Besnard 198
14: Paul Weel 195
15: Mark Skaife 192
Release Date: 04/04/2004
Stone Brother Racing
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