Lowndes leads the way for Ford in Bathurst qualifying
8/10/2004 22:33 (Press Release) -
Craig Lowndes (CAT Ford Performance Racing) has qualified fourth for the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst. Greg Murphy set the fastest time ahead of Jason Bright and Steven Richards. The top-10 drivers will take part in tomorrow's shootout where the first five rows will be decided for Sunday's 1000km race.
Lowndes enjoyed one of his best qualifying sessions of the year, as he was amongst the pacesetters throughout the 45-minute session.
Lowndes will team up with Glenn Seton, who is making his 21st start at Mount Panorama. Seton is yet to win Australia's 'Great Race'.
“The car was good throughout the practice sessions and into qualifying,” said Lowndes.
“The great thing is that there's still room for improvement and it'll be a very good car come race time.
“Our engine performance has improved and I'm sure we'll have a good reliable package.
“Inside the car both Glenn and I are very determined to get the job done. Glenn really deserves it and I'm keen to give him a 21st present he'll really enjoy.
“No one was talking about us before today, now it's nice to be considered amongst the teams to watch.”
Russell Ingall's day ended on a high after a shocking morning for the Caltex Havoline Racing Falcon. Co-driver Cameron McLean was involved in a heavy accident in the morning's practice session.
All panels back from the car's rear window had to be replaced. Over three hours of non-stop work had the car ready for the qualifying session.
“I was more impressed with the work by the crew to get the car into the qualifying session than the time itself” said Ingall.
“After seeing that effort I had to really repay them with a strong lap in qualifying.
“We gave it a quick check over after one lap in qualifying, then drove the doors off the thing.
“The car does need some changes, but we'll get that done before tomorrow's shootout and have it set for the race on Sunday.
“This place is such a challenge and to really drive the car fast around here is just awesome. It's so satisfying to put a good lap together against great opposition.
“In terms of the pre-race dramas we've had, I'd rather have it today and not on Sunday!
“My confidence in Cameron has not changed. He's a good driver and he'll do a superb job for us on in the race.”
Ford will have five cars in tomorrow's top-10 shootout, including Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing), John Bowe (OzEmail Racing) and V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing). Ambrose will be the first car on the track in the shootout.
Tomorrow's top-10 shootout is set-down for 3.40pm.
Top-10 Bathurst V8 Qualifying.
1. Greg Murphy / Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore 2:08.0940
2. Jason Bright / Paul Weel - PWR - Holden Commodore +0.0343
3. Steve Richards / Jim Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore +0.0423
4. Craig Lowndes / Glenn Seton - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.2697
5. Russell Ingall / Cameron McLean - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.3124
6. Paul Morris / Alan Gurr - Siromet Racing - Holden Commodore +0.3966
7. Jason Bargwanna / Mark Winterbottom - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.4023
8. John Bowe / Brad Jones - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.4257
9. Paul Dumbrell / Tong Longhurst - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore +0.4345
10. Marcos Ambrose / Greg Ritter - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.4796
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