Ambrose records fourth consecutive pole
4/7/2004 11:47 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing’s Marcos Ambrose recorded his fourth consecutive pole position at Queensland Raceway when he took the number one spot for tomorrow’s sixth round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Ambrose was second fastest in the afternoon qualifying session, but improved one place in the top 10 shootout in his Pirtek Falcon
Ambrose’s Stone Brothers Racing teammate Russell was third quickest in qualifying, but dropped three places in the shootout in his Caltex Havoline Ford after slightly missing his one-lap set-up.
Ambrose set a time of one minute and 10.5335 seconds to edge out Holden’s Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly.
Ironically, today’s effort equaled Skaife’s record of four consecutive poles at Darwin’s Hidden Valley Raceway from 2001 to this year.
“This track is very unique,” said Ambrose.
“We come and test here in summer and we are lucky to get down to a mid 11.
“The sun started to go down a little by the time I got out in the shootout and grip level increased slightly.
“The track was certainly changing and we got it right.
“It is important for us to have a strong result here tomorrow and head towards the endurance races with as big a gap as possible in the championship.
“There was a lot of pressure on us at the end of last year and it was a good feeling once we got the championship under our belt.
“I guess that has allowed us to enjoy this year’s championship a lot more. A part of that has been the increase in competition.”
Ingall, who is the defending race champion at Queensland Raceway, believes he has a very good race package for tomorrow’s 90-lap race.
“I think we should have had a quicker time in the shootout, but we missed it,” said Ingall.
“We have concentrated on out race set-up in every session and I feel terrific heading into tomorrow’s race.
“There is nothing between the top 10 cars, but I think our ability to judge the changing conditions over a course of a race will help our cause.
“We also have a terrific pit crew who are great to have on your side when you have both a compulsory fuel and tyre stop to make during a race.
“Tomorrow is going to be a long day and we are ready for that.”
Top 10 Shootout
1: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 1:10.5335
2: Mark Skaife (Holden) 1:10.5856
3: Todd Kelly (Holden) 1:10.6907
4: Steven Richards (Holden) 1:10.7264
5: Jason Bright (Holden) 1:10.7353
6: Russell Ingall (Ford) 1:10.8140
7: Simon Wills (Holden) 1:11.0678
8: John Bowe (Ford) 1:11.1677
9: Paul Radisich (Ford) 1:11.7223
10: Craig Baird (Holden) 1:12.5381
QUALIFYING
1: Jason Bright (Holden) 1:10.2957
2: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 1:10.3583
3: Russell Ingall (Ford) 1:10.6130
4: Mark Skaife (Holden) 1:10.6450
5: Steve Richards (Holden) 1:10.6847
6: Paul Radisich (Ford) 1:10.6900
7: John Bowe (Ford) 1:10.6910
8: Simon Wills (Holden) 1:10.6970
9: Todd Kelly (Holden) 1:10.699! 4
10: Craig Baird (Holden) 1:10.7756
11: Paul Weel (Holden) 1:10.8383
12: Garth Tander (Holden) 1:10.8547
13: Steve Ellery (Ford) 1:10.8614
14: Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 1:10.8738
15: Max Wilson (Ford) 1:10:8952
16: Warren Luff (Ford) 1:10:9035
17: Paul Dumbrell (Holden) 1:10:9058
18: Steven Johnson (Ford) 1:10.9489
19: Jason Bargwanna (Ford) 1:10.9896
20: Mark Noske (Ford) 1:10.9982
21: David Besnard (Ford) 1:11.0146
22: Paul Morris (Holden) 1:11.0715
23: Greg Murphy (Holden) 1:11.0732
24: Rick Kelly (Holden) 1:11.1354
25: Brad Jones (Ford) 1:11.1867
26: Glenn Seton (Ford) 1:11.2684
27: Craig Lowndes (Ford) 1:11.3623
28: Cameron McConville (Holden) 1:11.3895
29: Jason Richards (Holden) 1:11.5053
30: Anthony Tratt (Holden) 1:11.5177
31: Neil McFadyen (Holden) 1:11.6369
32: Dale Brede (Holden) 1:11.657! 6
33: Tony Longhurst (Holden) 1:12.1773
34: Garth Walden (Ford) 1:13.2630
35: David Krause (Holden) 1:15.9429
ROUND 6, 2004
Venue: Queensland Raceway, Willowbank, Qld
2003 Race format: Qualifying and Shootout - Saturday; 90-lap Race (compulsory tyre and fuel stops) - Sunday
Circuit Length: 3.121km
Circuit Direction: Clockwise
Maximum Speed: 260 km/h (Back Straight)
Qualifying Record: John Bowe (1999) 1:09.2594
Lap Record: Garth Tander (1999) 1:11.0033
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Sunday July 4
10:00am – 10:20am Warm Up
1:45pm - Race (90 laps)
TV TELECAST - Network Ten
Sunday
2:30pm - 5:00pm
|
|
