INGALL WINS OPENING V8 DARWIN RACE IN DRAMATIC FINISH
25/5/2004 19:52 (Press Release) -
A clash between V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Caltex Havoline Racing)
and Mark Skaife has handed victory to Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing)
in the opening race of the fourth round of the 2004 V8 Supercar Championship
Series at Darwin's Hidden Valley.
While charging for the lead, Ambrose got alongside Skaife on the final corner
of the final lap, with the ensuing contact between the two rivals damaging both
cars.
Ambrose brought his Falcon home in third, while Skaife fell from first back to
14th.
Both cars stopped just after the finish line, with both drivers reporting damaged
steering from the incident.
It was the final chapter in one of the best races in recent history. Despite
being just 17-laps in length, positions changed throughout with a number of drivers
sliding wide on corners.
Despite his nickname as the 'Enforcer', Ingall kept out of all the dramas and
brought home a straight car for a popular victory.
It was his first individual race win since the Gold Coast last year.
"That was a cracker race, it had everything and I seemed to have the best seat
in the house," said Ingall.
"The car was a great toy in that race, and with a few very minor improvement
overnight it'll be a weapon tomorrow.
"We qualified really well earlier today, and racing at the front usually means
you don't get caught up in the mess. It was pretty messy, but I'm glad I was
not the one in the middle of it.
"I wouldn't call it a lucky win. I was right on Marcos's hammer and it all opened
up.
"The move by Marcos was brilliant. He's a true racer and the whole deal about
the championship leader having to be conservative is not what he's about. It's
great for our team, Ford and the sport."
Ambrose was disappointed to finish third, but was addiment that the move to pass
Skaife was on.
"I got a great run and dived to the inside, got side-by-side and we touched,"
said Ambrose.
"Mark wanted to fight for the corner and that's what happened. I wouldn't expect
anything less from him.
"It was fair, but certainly tough racing and that's what V8 Supercars is all
about.
"I'm sure Ross and Jimmy Stone would be a little disappointed with the outcome,
but I'm a racer and I won't be changing anything. It's brought me success to
this point in my career and I'll keep it that way.
"In terms of the championship, we got a small points gap on rivals Steve Richards
(5th place) and Greg Murphy finished in 14th. That's important for the overall
picture.
"You know I don't like losing a race, but for Russell to win and Stone Brothers
Racing having two cars in the first three is a top result.
"I'm now focusing on tomorrow's two races and making sure we have the opportunity
to win the round. I'm sure Russell will have something to say about that and
it will be a good fight".
Ford finished the race with six cars in the top-10, with places seven through
to 10 being Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing), John Bowe (OzEmail Racing)
and Team Betta Electrical teammate Paul Radisich and Max Wilson rounding out
the 10.
Tomorrow's two 35-lap races include compulsory tyre pit stops.
Top-10 - race#1 Hidden Valley
1. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA
2. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
3. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
4. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore
5. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore
6. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
7. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA
8. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA
9. Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
10. Max Wilson - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
Release Date: 22/05/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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