Ambrose scores classic win at Oran Park
16/8/2004 12:22 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) has charged back into title contention with victory at round eight of the V8 Supercar Championship Series at Sydney's Oran Park.
It was the Tasmanian's third win of the season, 11th of his career (47 starts) and second straight at Oran Park.
Ambrose had to work hard over the two-race meeting, finishing second to Mark Skaife in the day's opening 54-lap race, before turning the tables in race #2.
Ambrose's win in the second race earned him overall victory for the round.
The 27-year-old started the weekend in fourth place in the championship. His victory now has him back up to second, just 13 points behind Jason Bright.
Starting from fifth place on the grid, Ambrose had to battle his way past a number of challenges, including Todd Kelly who led the race earlier.
Ambrose got a great start in the second race, leading Skaife into the first corner.
The champion made his compulsory tyre stop on lap #20. As he slowed for pit lane, Skaife nearly collided with the rear of the Falcon. His avoiding action dropped three vital seconds, which was further blown out by a slow stop.
From that point Ambrose was able to maintain a comfortable lead. The only minor dramas coming while he lapped back markers.
The result was a complete turnaround to the recent round at Winton, where he finished 28th.
The result at Oran Park now sets up an intriguing scenario going into the endurance events at Sandown and Bathurst, where long-distance specialist Greg Ritter will join Ambrose.
“A great day, pretty much the perfect result,” said Ambrose.
“It's shows the true character of our team. Winton was disappointing, but we never let us that get us down.
“The result is great for me, the team and especially for Ford and all fans who were disappointed with how Winton ended.
“Today was very tough. Mark was really on his game.
“Jason Bright did finish third, but we got 12 points back on him. Steve Richards and Todd Kelly finished down the order and that has given us an even bigger bonus.
“I can't say enough for our crew. They made the right call on when to stop for tyres and they gave me two superb stops.
“Now we can get onto concentrating on Sandown and Bathurst. It's clearly going to be critical for the championship, but we will go to both events very well prepared.
“There's obviously some pressure on Greg Ritter, but he's shown that in those events he's one of the best drivers out there. I'm really excited about our chances in those big races.
“Our policy will not change. Just keep on winning, that's the best way to give this championship a shake.”
It was a good day for the Stone Brothers Racing team with teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing) finishing fourth overall and on the same points as third placed finisher Jason Bright.
Like his teammate in race #1, Ingall stormed through the field after a great tyre stop and determined driving.
It didn't quite go to plan in the second race, as he dropped a number of spots after the start. Once on fresh tyres he began a charge, but could not haul-in Bright by the end.
“To finish were we did was pretty pleasing,” said Ingall.
“I managed to grab a few spots with my pit stop in the first race and then drove to grab a few more.
“The first set of tyres we had in the second race were basically the worst set that we had, but we had to make do.
“This track is probably the most tyre sensitive in the series and I really think we need more than ten tyres here for the weekend.
“I'm now looking forward to the long distance races and keeping our championship hopes alive.”
Teams now go into endurance mode for the next two rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship Series; the Betta Electrical Sandown 500 and the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst.
Co-drivers will be drafted into the teams for these two famous and crucial rounds of the V8 Supercar Championship Series.
The Betta Electrical Sandown 500 is set down for September 10-12.
TOP 10 OVERALL- ORAN PARK
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 2. Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore 3. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 4. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon 5. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore 6. Paul Weel - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 7. Jason Richards - Tasman Motorsport - Holden Commodore 8. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA 9. Simon Wills - Team Dynamik - Holden Commodore 10. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore
TOP-10 CHAMPIONSHIP - AFTER ROUND 8 OF 13
1. Jason Bright - PWR Racing - Holden Commodore 1308 pts
2. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1295pts
3. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore 1261pts
4. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore 1194pts
5. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon 1159pts
6. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore 1108pts
7. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore 1056pts
8. Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore 975pts
9. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA 836pts
10. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA 790pts
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