AMBROSE TAKES THE GOOD WITH THE BAD AFTER GOLD COAST V8'S
9/11/2004 19:34 (Press Release) -
Defending V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose will go into his home V8 race in
Tasmania next month with a massive points lead after finishing on equal points
with Greg Murphy on the streets of Surfers Paradise.
Murphy won today's second race and although Ambrose finished on equal points.
Murphy was awarded the overall title after winning the second race.
Ambrose now has a 166-point championship lead over Jason Bright, who was eliminated
in today's race in a heavy accident involving Rick Kelly.
The points' gain was a great result for Ambrose, but his wallet is lighter after
a decision to fine him $10,000 for an incident after the chequered flag in yesterday's
race.
Ambrose crossed the finish line and immediately slowed in front of Rick Kelly.
Ambrose was charged with careless driving, in that he failed to exercise reasonable
care immediately after crossing the control (finish) line. Stewards described
his actions as a serious breach of required standards.
Both Ambrose and the Stone Brothers Racing team have accepted the decision of
the stewards.
Race stewards will also reconvene at the next round at Symmons Plains to discuss
a pitlane incident involving both Ambrose and Kelly at the end of yesterday's
race.
Also on that agenda will be a review of the Rick Kelly and Jason Bright accident
from today's race.
It was the culmination of a dramatic weekend of racing on the streets of the
Gold Coast. Where a carnage bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars was caused.
Ambrose made a poor start dropping from pole to fourth by the first bend. He
climbed back to second after Craig Lowndes (CAT Ford Performance Racing) retired
with damaged steering and Todd Kelly had fuel dramas.
Ambrose was happy to focus on the positive outcome of the race results.
“This was always going to be a critical round of the championship,” said Ambrose.
“So to come away with such a strong championship position is outstanding.
“I really would have liked to win again today, but once we got the bad start
I did have to race conservatively.
“We had a chance with a re-start near the end after the Bright accident, but
it was not to be.
“Looking ahead we now head to Tasmania and an opportunity to wrap up the championship.
“It'll be the first time I've raced at Symmons Plains in a V8 Supercar and I'm
keen to use some home-ground advantage!”
Jason Bargwanna (Orrcon Steel Racing) completed a strong weekend with fourth
overall. Unlike many of his rivals he brought home a straight racecar. After
a string of top-10 finishes Bargwanna has set his sights on podium over the final
two rounds of this year's championship.
“I want a podium finish, very, very soon and we are so close to it I can almost
feel it,” said Bargwanna.
“Over the past four rounds there has only been once where I have finished outside
the top five, and that was a sixth at Sandown. This effort by the team highlights
the fact that we are serious contenders.
“I was hopeful to be able to follow Marcos (Ambrose) through on Todd (Kelly)
with a couple of laps remaining but I wasn't quite close enough to get past without
a huge risk.”
Team Betta Electrical completed a strong weekend with Max Wilson finishing sixth
overall and Paul Radisich ninth.
Shell Helix Racing's Steven Johnson rounded out the top-10.
Also on the streets of the Gold Coast was the 13th round of the Champcar World
Series. Bruno Junqueira kept his championship hopes alive with victory ahead
of teammate Sebastian Bourdais.
However, it was the performance of V8 Supercar regular David Besnard (WPS Racing)
that had the home fans on their feet.
Besnard finished in seventh place in the one-off drive after a pit strategy gamble
that saw him coast to the line with next to no fuel.
“It really has been a remarkable journey and this has been a great part of it.
The result today was amazing,” said Besnard.
“I wasn't too sure where I was running and I just kept focused on getting to
the finish line. For the last few weeks we have spoken about the importance of
being there at the finish and I achieved that.
“I kept it off the walls and I've ended up with a good result.”
Besnard will re-join his V8 counterparts at Symmons Plains for the Tasmania Triple
Challenge from November 12-14.
V8 Supercar overall results - Surfers Paradise
1. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore
2. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA
3. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore
4. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA
5. Simon Wills - Team Dynamik - Holden Commodore
6. Max Wilson - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
7. Cameron McConville - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore
8. Jason Richards - Tasman Motorsport - Holden Commodore
9. Paul Radisich - Team Betta Electrical - Ford Falcon BA
10. Steven Johnson - Shell Helix Racing - Ford Falcon BA
V8 Supercar Championship after 11 of 13 rounds
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1856pts
2. Jason Bright - PWR - Holden Commodore -166pts
3. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore -191pts
4. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore -234pts
5. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA -247pts
6. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore -347pts
7. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore -373pts
8. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA -547pts
9. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA -563pts
10. Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore -605pts
Release Date: 24/10/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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