AMBROSE WINS OPENING V8 RACE ON THE GOLD COAST
9/11/2004 19:01 (Press Release) -
Defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose has extended his 2004 title lead
with victory in today's opening 22-lap race on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
Ambrose now has a 73-point lead over nearest rival Jason Bright, who finished
seventh in today's race.
Ambrose won a challenging race, with the narrow streets taking its toll on many
of the Tasmania's challengers.
Starting from second position on the grid Ambrose charged into the opening chicane
with pole sitter Mark Skaife. The two combatants touched, with both cars forced
to go straight ahead at the corner. Behind, Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing)
was sent in a spin after being hit by Rick Kelly. Kelly was forced to pit with
a damaged tyre, while Ingall dropped to the back of the pack.
Up front Ambrose and Skaife resumed their duel with it all coming to a head on
lap #10. While charging down the beachside straight Skaife narrowly avoided a
road marker cone that was knocked onto the track by a fellow competitor. Ambrose
was not so lucky running over the top of it. The cone found its way to the underside
of the front bumper for the remainder of the race.
Just two corners later Skaife locked his rear brakes and spun with Ambrose charging
into the lead.
Rick Kelly was handed a pitlane drive-though penalty for hitting Ingall on the
first turn. He rejoined the race one lap down, but on the bumper of Ambrose.
Kelly hang onto Ambrose trying to force him into an error, as his teammate Greg
Murphy moved into second. A spin by Ambrose would have handed Murphy the win.
Ambrose held firm, winning the race ahead of Murphy with Todd Kelly finishing
with CAT Ford Performance Racing's Craig Lowndes pressuring him all the way.
Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing) again showing plenty of consistency to
finish in fifth.
“We're wrapped with this result, I couldn't have asked for too much more,” said
Ambrose.
“It was a tough race with the start and the finish. Mark Skaife was always going
to be tough going into the first bend, but I'm not too impressed with Rick Kelly
at the end.
“I let Mark go for a couple of laps and then went on a charge to get him. I closed
pretty quickly and then he darted out of the way and I collected the cone. The
boys told me that it came loose not long after, but when we brought it back to
the pits after the race it was still underneath!
“I could see that Mark was struggling with his brakes, but I couldn't believe
how quickly I got my chance.
“Then Rick Kelly came into play. I tried to get him to pass me a couple of times
so that I could be clear of him, but he seemed happy to sit on my tail. I wouldn't
exactly call it the sporting thing to do, but the win more than made up for that.
“A lot teams had brake problems today, but our car finished very strong. That
had a lot to do with running in the open air, while others had to battle with
each other.
“Tomorrow's race is eight laps longer and getting the jump at the start is going
to again be critical.
“Both I and the car feel very strong and a repeat effort tomorrow would be very
special”.
There were a number of casualties as well as strong performances. One of the
best drives came from Paul Radisich (Team Betta Electrical) who climbed from
31st on the grid to finish 12th. It was a contrast for Steve Ellery who with
just one lap remaining fell from sixth to 18th after his brakes gave out.
Tomorrow's 30-lap conclusion to the V8 Gillette Challenge starts at midday.
Top-10 - V8 Supercar Race #1 Surfers Paradise
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
2. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
3. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
4. Craig Lowndes - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA
5. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA
6. Simon Wills - Team Dynamik - Holden Commodore
7. Jason Bright - PWR - Holden Commodore
8. Max Wilson - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
9. Jason Richards - Tasman Motorsport - Holden Commodore
10. Cameron McConville - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore
Release Date: 23/10/2004
Ford Performance Racing
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