Double podium for Ford at Bathurst
10/10/2004 22:38 (Press Release) -
CAT Ford Performance Racing's Craig Lowndes and Glenn Seton have finished second, and Brad Jones and John Bowe (OzEmail Racing) third at the Bob Jane T-Mart 1000 at Bathurst. Greg Murphy and Rick Kelly scored back-to back wins.
Ford finished with six cars in the first seven, with each of the Falcon teams having a chance to win the race at one stage in the161-lap journey.
Championship leader Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) extended his championship lead by finishing fourth.
Jason Bargwanna and Mark Winterbottom (Orrcon Steel Racing) were fifth, despite Winterbottom being involved in a major incident with Garth Tander.
Sixth were Russell Ingall and Cameron McLean, with Steven Johnson and Warren Luff (Shell Helix Racing) rounding out the top seven.
Despite having to make eight pit stops, the Lowndes/Seton combination put themselves into contention over the final 60 laps.
With less than ten laps remaining Lowndes passed Bowe, but Murphy had too big a lead to bridge the gap.
It was the climax of a classic 1000km V8 Supercar endurance race. A day that included seven safety cars, cars rolling over and even a kangaroo being struck at high-speed.
Both Lowndes and Seton were delighted to finish runners-up for the second straight year.
“To finish second is a great result, Murphy and Kelly were just too good today,” said Lowndes.
“It was an up and down day. We were having oil pressure problems and we took every advantage on safety cars to top-up.
“Certainly in the middle of the race we were just wanting to salvage a result. Then when it got down to the final charge over the final 60 laps, the car great and both Glenn and I really went for it.
“Our stints were pretty strong. Certainly it was not that easy with so many safety cars, but overall it was pretty good.
“Certainly we would have loved to have won today. It was the final time Glenn and I will drive together.
“The battle with Bowe over those closing laps was pretty exciting. I really put the pressure on and anytime you get past JB it's never easy.”
Making his 21st start at the 'Great Race' Glenn Seton was delighted to again be on the podium.
“We had a strategy of just making the four pit stops today, so to make eight and get second is quite amazing,” said Seton.
“I'm pleased for Craig and I, as well as our team. It has been far from a great year for the boys in the crew, but this certainly is a great reward for all their hard work.
“Craig and I worked all week long to have a strong package, then today the boys really took care of things in the race.
“It might not have gone my way again today. However, a second place at Bathurst is a great achievement and something I'm proud of.
“Now that I have three second-place finishes, it's certainly time to have a win next year!”
The OzEmail duo of Jones and Bowe were strong throughout the race. The team appeared to make all the right calls in the pits. However, the final safety car neutralised that advantage and they couldn't match the speed of Murphy on the final re-start.
The pressure from Lowndes on Bowe took its toll, with a damaged tyre forcing the Tasmanian to ease up.
“A satisfying result today, but I know the boys and I wanted so much more,” said Bowe.
“I could run with Murphy on the final re-start, but the tyre problem forced me to ease-up and defend Craig. He certainly didn't make it easy and then when he got by I had to nurse the car home.
“That was a real shame as the car was really better than that.
“I have to say that it was the most strategic race at Bathurst I've ever been involved in. It was going our way, then against us then back and forward.
“The battle with Craig was very enjoyable. I've been in plenty of battles over the years and we both raced hard, but showed respect to not hit each other. I only wish it was for the win, then I'm sure I would've really made it a lot harder for him to pass.”
Like Glenn Seton, Brad Jones again missed his chance of finally winning at Bathurst.
“It was a tough race and we again just came up short,” said Jones.
“Not taking away anything from Murphy and Kelly, but we had a great car today.
“I started the race and within the opening lap I found myself in third and it appeared all to be going well. Steve Richards then turned me around and then we had to fight our way back.
“Throughout, I remained confident and we gave it everything we had.
“Our team made all the rights calls. The safety cars just didn't go our way.
“I'm sick of saying next year, but next year we'll be tough to beat!”
For Marcos Ambrose it was a day that promised so much, but tyre problems forced a conservative run to the flag.
Ambrose jumped to the lead from fifth by just the second turn, with teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing) slotted into second after starting eighth.
It appeared to set-up the day for Ambrose. However, strategy and safety cars went against the champion.
Championship challengers Steven Richards and Jason Bright, both had tough races. Bright with numerous problems, while Richards's co-driver and father Jim struck a kangaroo while heading into the cutting. Bright finishing 12th and Richards 21st.
“We did not have the car for the track at the end of the day,” said Ambrose.
“The last couple of stops were short because of some tyre problems we were having. It is nice to extend the championship lead and I guess that's what this is all about, but I think we were certainly a chance to win this race today.
“There is always next year.”
Teams have just two weeks to re-group for the Gold Coast Indy Carnival from October 21-24.
Top-10 Bob Jane T-Marts 1000 - Bathurst
1. Greg Murphy / Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
2. Craig Lowndes / Glenn Seton - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA
3. John Bowe / Brad Jones - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA
4. Marcos Ambrose / Greg Ritter - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
5. Jason Bargwanna / Mark Winterbottom - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA
6. Russell Ingall / Cameron McLean - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA
7. Steven Johnson / Warren Luff - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA
8. Steve Owen / Tim Leahey - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
9. Jamie Whincup / Alex Davison - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore
10. Nathan Pretty / Alan Simonson - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore
Top-10 V8 Supercar Championship - Round 10 of 13
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1667pts
2. Jason Bright - PWR - Holden 1612pts
3. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden 1565pts
4. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1519pts
5. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden 1509pts
6. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden 1476pts
7. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden 1303pts
8. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1188pts
9. Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden 1155pts
10. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1138
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