Ingall and Ambrose to start in Top Ten Shootout
8/10/2004 22:34 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing’s Russell Ingall and Marcos Ambrose will both start in tomorrow’s top 10 shootout for the Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 at Bathurst’s Mt Panorama after a remarkable qualifying session today.
Ingall did a terrific job to qualify his Caltex Falcon in fifth place, while Ambrose survived more than four minutes on the “bubble” to qualify 10th.
Both drivers will have the chance to grab pole for Sunday’s 161-lap classic when they set-off on their one-lap dash in tomorrow’s shootout.
Ingall’s co-driver Cameron McLean had an accident in the morning practice session after getting out of shape at Caltex Chase and hitting Paul Stokell.
The SBR crew did a fantastic job to get the rear of the car re-built in time for afternoon qualifying.
The top 10 cars were separated by just 0.4796 of a second and the top 20 by just 0.8542.
Ambrose and co-driver Greg Ritter put in a couple of solid sessions after a day of drama yesterday in which their Pirtek Falcon did just 10 laps.
Ritter got in a few laps in today’s morning session, but most of his time came in practice and qualifying for the Konica-Minolta race in which he is driving an AU Falcon.
The Konica-Minolta race will be held over 25 laps tomorrow and Ritter has qualified second.
RUSSELL INGALL – Quotes
“I am extremely grateful to the SBR crew for getting the car back into shape and having it good enough for me to do a qualifying time,” said Ingall.
“I have to say the going was a lot tougher out there today and it takes so much to milk that fraction of a second more out of the car.
“I think that is the quickest I have ever been around here and that’s a good feeling.
“We had a few sets of tyres to throw at it today and it was great to be able to have a real go.
“It would have been nice to give Cameron a few more laps, but he will get back into the car in the morning and really dial himself in.
“Both SBR cars have had their problems so at the end of the day it’s pleasing to have both of them in the top 10. Bring on the rest of the weekend.”
CAMERON McLEAN – Quotes
“I misjudged a change we had made and the car got sideways under brakes at Caltex Chase. As I came across the track backwards I hit the rear of Paul Stokell’s car which damaged both of us,” said McLean.
“If he was two 10ths faster or slower I would have just skidded around and we both would have completed the session. It was a case of the wrong place at the wrong time.
“We need to put that behind us now and get on with the job tomorrow. Fortunately there was nothing very mechanically wrong with the car and guys were able to put it back into shape.
“Russell did a great job to get us into the top 10 and the rest of our weekend starts from this point.”
MARCOS AMBROSE – Quotes
“I knew we were close to missing the top 10 because the boys were not saying much,” said Ambrose.
“I did not realise that we were on the bubble for that long, but I am glad we made it.
“We are only 0.4 of a second off pole, which is nothing on a track more than six kilometres long.
“I am sure we will make a few little changes overnight for the one-lap flyer and see if we can go forward.
“It is quite amazing how close the field is and I think we are in for one hell of a race on Sunday.”
GREG RITTER - Quotes
“Having the miles in the Konica-Minolta car has been pretty handy considering the amount of time we lost yesterday,” said Ritter.
“I felt very comfortable in the Pirtek Falcon today and feel we are going to have a solid race package.
“I am happy to be starting on the front row in the Konica race, but will be even happier if Marcos and grab a similar spot for the main show in the shootout.”
There will be an hour-long practice session from 10am-11am tomorrow before the shootout at 3.40pm.
QUALIFYING - TOP 10
1: Greg Murphy/Rick Kelly (Holden) 2:08.0940
2: Jason Bright/Paul Weel (Holden) 2:08.1283
3: Steven Richards/Jim Richards (Holden) 2:08.1363
4: Craig Lowndes/Glenn Seton (Ford) 2:08.3637
5: Russell Ingall/Cameron McLean (Ford) 2:08.4064
6: Paul Morris/Alan Gurr (Holden) 2:08.4906
7: Jason Bargwanna/Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 2:08.4963
8: Brad Jones/John Bowe (Ford) 2:08.5197
9: Paul Dumbrell/Tony Longhurst (Holden) 2:08.5285
10: Marcos Ambrose/Greg Ritter (Ford) 2:08.5736
BOB JANE T-MARTS 1000 – FACTS AND FIGURES
TRACK FACTS – MT PANORAMA, BATHURST
Venue: Mt Panorama, Bathurst
2004 Race format: Qualifying (Friday) and Top 10 Shootout (Saturday); 161-lap Race (compulsory tyre and fuel stops) - Sunday
Circuit Length: 6.21km
Circuit Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Maximum Speed: 300 km/h (Conrod Straight)
Qualifying Record – Greg Murphy (Holden) 2:06.8594 (2004)
Lap Record- Garth Tander (Holden) 2:08.6726 (2003)
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (After 9 of 13 rounds)
1: Marcos Ambrose 1487
2: Jason Bright 1464
3: Steven Richards 1397
4: Rick Kelly 1373
5: Russell Ingall 1347
6: Greg Murphy 1284
7: Todd Kelly 1163
8: Garth Tander 1155
9: John Bowe 1004
10: Jason Bargwanna 962
THE WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Bob Jane T-Marts 1000
Mount Panorama, Bathurst NSW
Saturday October 9
10:00 – 11:00 – Practice Five
3:40 – 4:25 – Top Ten Shootout
Sunday October 10
7:15 – 7:35 – Warm Up
10:00 – 5.45pm Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 (161 Laps)
TV TELECAST – NETWORK TEN
Friday – 1pm-4pm (EST)
Saturday – Noon-5pm (EST)
Sunday – 7am-5pm (EST)
* Please note that Network Ten will show a round of the Formula One World Championship from Suzuka Japan on Sunday from 5.30pm to 7pm.
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