AMBROSE STRONG IN NZ V8 QUALIFYING
1/5/2004 6:19 (Press Release) -
Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose has qualified second for the third round of the
V8 Supercar Series, the PlaceMakers V8 International Pukekohe Park Raceway south
of Auckland.
The defending V8 Supercar Champion enjoyed a solid day in practice and then put
in a determined effort in the afternoon's qualifying session to be placed behind
Jason Bright, who set a new qualifying lap record.
Ambrose will aim for pole position in tomorrow's top-10 shootout before the first
of three races on the speedy NZ track.
"The venue had traditionally been difficult for Ford, so to be near the front
after qualifying is pleasing," said Ambrose.
"Greg Murphy has owned this event for the past three years, and we're really
going to give it a strong go this weekend.
"I'm pleased to be flying the Ford flag again this weekend and it's about time
NZ got the blue spirit.
"We've had our chances here in the past but have not taken them. Two years ago
a puncture took away victory with only a handful of laps remaining.
"The car has been consistent all day and we'll aim on making a few small gains
for the shootout.
"We'll definitely have a very strong race package. The only variable will be
the weather, as they keep predicting showers, but so far we've had fine conditions."
Ford finished with five cars in the top-10 with both team Betta Electrical cars
of Max Wilson and New Zealand favourite Paul Radisich both making the shootout.
Also taking part in the top-10 run off will be John Bowe (OzEmail Racing) and
Orrcon Steel Racing's Jason Bargwanna.
Tomorrow's shootout is set down for 11.45am local time, with the opening 36-lap
race starting at 2.35pm.
Qualifying - PlaceMakers V8 International
1. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 0:56.3655 (Record)
2. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.2407
3. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +0.2554
4. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +0.3505
5. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore +0.3529
6. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore +0.4552
7. Max Wilson - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA +0.5131
8. Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA +0.5403
9. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.5768
10. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.5770
Details for Pukekohe:
Top 10 Shootout - Saturday 1 May 11.45am
Race 1 (36 laps - 100.8km) - Saturday 1 May - 2.35pm
Race 2 (54 laps - 151.2km) - Sunday 2 May - 12.10pm
Race 3 (54 laps - 151.2km) - Sunday 2 May - 3.40pm
Circuit: Pukekohe Park Raceway
Length: 2.8km
Lap Records:
Qualifying - Murphy 0:56.54 (2003)
Shootout - Murphy 0:56.9052 (2001)
Race - Seton 0:57.3500 (1996)
Estimated top speed: 275km/h - Back Straight
Estimated average speed: 155 km/h
Release Date: 30/04/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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