Champion reigns supreme at Mount Panorama
8/10/2004 22:24 (Press Release) -
As the black clouds rolled over the Mount Panorama racing circuit this afternoon, nothing was going to rain down on Greg Murphy’s successful return to Bathurst, as he again reigned supreme during day one of the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.
The overall times set by the reigning champion were comparable to his 2003 practice sessions, where he went on to secure the qualifying and outright lap records on his way to a third ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN crown.
Despite the similarities to last year’s memorable performance, the New Zealander wouldn’t be drawn into any comparisons.
“It doesn’t matter if you win or lose the year before but to get back out on the circuit and see all the magnificent changes that have taken place here at Bathurst is something special,” said Murphy.
“We used a better set of practice tyres in the final session and that certainly helped.
“But probably the best thing to come out of today is that we gained a few ideas from the final session and we intend to try a few things tomorrow morning.
Murphy’s overall best lap time of 2.08.7906 was only a shade ahead of second placed driver Russell Ingall with Mark Skaife completing the top three.
Ingall, in particular appeared well pleased by his opening day effort at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 predicting even bigger things to come.
While for Skaife it was more a case of evaluating today’s performance and taking a composed approach to tomorrow’s all-important qualifying session.
All drivers agreed the redeveloped facilities at Mount Panorama has marked the 2004 Event as extra special.
This perception was well supported by attendance figures as a generous crowd of 30 274 rolled in for their first taste of action during the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN between Ford and Holden.
“We’re ecstatic at the response to this year’s Event with numbers already up by close to 2000 fans on last year,” said IMG Director of Motorsport James O’Brien.
“In particular we have seen a dramatic rise in the uptake of four-day ticket passes with many of those individuals opting for Grandstand seating.
“There’s no doubt this year we have seen a lot more children attending and that reflects well on the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 in placing itself as a genuine family Event to be enjoyed by all.”
“But there are still three exciting days of action awaiting fans and we certainly encourage anyone who is yet to purchase tickets to do so.
“At the conclusion of tomorrow’s on-track activities we’ll have Australian rock band 28 Days performing and those people purchasing weekend passes will be admitted free to the open air concert.”
“The weekend deal represents excellent value for money at just $86 per ticket which guarantees patrons all the action of the final days of the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN plus a first class concert.
“Weekend ticket purchasers will be admitted to the concert from 5pm.”
In today’s support categories, mountain experience paid dividends for Jim Richards in round eight of the Australian Carrera Cup at the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000.
The 57 year-old, seven time Bathurst enduro winner will start form pole position in race one tomorrow, after clocking the fastest ever time around Mount Panorama in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car.
Richards’ best lap time of 2.13.6760 ensured he would start from the front of the grid accompanied by series leader Alex Davison who was next quickest with 2.14.5280.
In the only practice session of the Konica Minolta V8 Supercars David Brabham clocked a quickest time of 2.13.1722 to edge ahead of Greg Ritter who will also partner reigning V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose in the ULTIMATE SHOWDOWN.
This year’s recently crowned champion of the category Andrew Jones performed strongly to finish third overall as he also aims up to a huge weekend partnering John Clelland in the feature Event.
Drivers sorted each other during a practice and qualifying session in the Formula Ford Bathurst Trophy as season hard-charger Dave Seiders collected his first pole position of the season.
Joining him on the front-row will be Shannon O’Brien in another first for 2004 while Cade Southall showed enough promise in qualifying to be considered a good chance of a podium place in tomorrow’s first race.
The top three placings in race one of Historic Race Cars went to all the top qualifiers as Paul Stubber took advantage of his front row start, while Greg Toepfer elevated himself up a place when he claimed second ahead of Steve Mason.
Tickets for this year’s Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 can be purchased at the gates of Bathurst’s famous Mount Panorama circuit.
2004 BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000 TICKET PRICES
Category Gate Price
Weekend GA - Adult $86.00
Weekend GA/Paddock - Adult $116.00
Weekend GA - Concession $72.00
Weekend GA/Paddock - Conc $102.00
Sunday GA - Adult $65.00
Sunday GA/Paddock - Adult $95.00
Sunday GA - Concession $55.00
Sunday GA/Paddock - Concession $85.00
MT PANORAMA - BATHURST
Directions
Easily accessible from Sydney, Bathurst is approximately 3 hours by car or 4.5 hours by train.
Accommodation and Travel
Bathurst Visitors Centre (1800 68 1000) can arrange bookings including airfare and accommodation. Camping at Mt Panorama can be booked through the camping ground box office on (07) 5588 6888.
Accommodation in Bathurst is limited so patrons should book early!
Parking
A well planned traffic management and parking system in Bathurst means no traffic hassles. There is plenty of parking at the circuit.
Group Booking
Group bookings will be available at a 10% discount for 20 or more persons on nett ticket prices. Phone (02)9320 9055 or Fax(02)9283 2677
Disabled
Patrons requiring wheelchair access should contact the operations department of IMG on(07) 5588 6888 regarding access and parking.
|
|
