Ambrose still the hunted as rivals set to prey
5/7/2004 1:46 (Press Release) -
Holden’s Steven Richards spoke for the entire field when he declared one mistake and they are ready to pounce on leader Marcos Ambrose in the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
Ambrose continues to be the hunted after winning today’s Queensland 300 at Queensland Raceway south of Brisbane ahead of Richards and Garth Tander. Ambrose’s team-mate Russell Ingall was fourth with Jason Bright fifth.
It was the second win of the season for Ambrose who leads the series from Richards, Bright, Rick Kelly and Greg Murphy. There are some movers in the field with Tander in particular jumping a place to challenge the top of the ladder.
So far the unflappable Ambrose has not slipped up in the season. Richard has already failed to finish one race yet still holds second and could very well be back on top at the next round in Winton.
“We are just waiting for Marcos to catch a cold, sneeze and we will drive straight on by,” Richards said.
“To finish second here to Marcos at his home circuit is just about as good as it gets. We will take that and happily sit behind him for now.”
Likewise Tander was waiting in the wing for someone such as Ambrose to slip up. Like Richards he has also failed to finish one race – the first in Adelaide when he crashed in practice.
“We are headed for Winton which is our home track and a great opportunity to go even better,” Tander said. “We are running well at the moment and starting to show our true colours.”
Ambrose had predicted his win when he said he would not give an inch to anyone, not even his own team-mate.
“We wanted it here, we thought we could and we got it,” Ambrose said.
“I am not here to come second. I want to win every week and it’s nice that we can. I’m not worried about what Steven can do, what Rick Kelly can do or any of the others. I’m worried about what I can do.”
Last year’s Bathurst winner Greg Murphy was one of the high profile casualties of the first corner carnage but managed to get back on to the track in an attempt to salvage points. The accident took out John Bowe among others who did not return.
Murphy did not finish the race but still holds down fifth place in the championship.
“The trouble started when I qualified 23rd yesterday,” lamented Murphy.
“When you start that far back … what do you expect. I really don’t know what happened, there was just dirt and crap everywhere.”
Former champion Mark Skaife’s luck nosedived yet again when he spun out of the race midway through meaning his championship season is definitely over.
“I’ve said too many times this year that we’ve got to get a result soon,” Skaife said.
Attendance blew away the record of last year when 66,507 people turned up for the three days – 13,795 more than the 53,712 that went to the race in 2004.
2004 V8 Supercars Championship Series
Round 6 – Results
1. Marcos Ambrose Pirtek SBR Falcon
2. Steven Richards Castrol Perkins Commodore
3. Garth Tander Repco Valvoline Cummins Commodore
4. Russell Ingall Caltex Havoline SBR Falcon
5. Jason Bright PWR Racing Commodore
6. Paul Radisich Betta Electrical Triple 8 Falcon
7. Paul Dumbrell Castrol Perkins Commodore
8. Tony Longhurst Castrol Perkins Commodore
9. Todd Kelly HRT Commodore
10. Cameron McConville Repco Valvoline Cummins Commodore
Championship Standings after Round 6
1. Marcos Ambrose – 1064
2. Steven Richards – 1006
3. Jason Bright – 951
4. Rick Kelly – 822
5. Greg Murphy – 811
6. Russell Ingall – 634
7. Garth Tander – 600
8. Todd Kelly – 741
9. John Bowe – 638
10. Steven Johnson – 597
|
|
