AMBROSE EYES CHAMPIONSHIP AT HOME V8 RACE IN TASMANIA
26/11/2004 21:51 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing) could wrap-up his second
straight title and Ford's first back-to-back championships since Dick Johnson
(Shell Helix Racing) in 1989 and '90, when he takes to the grid at his home track
of Symmons Plains on November 12-14.
It's the return of the V8 Supercar Championship Series to the Apple Isle for
the first time since 1999, and it will be Ambrose's V8 debut in his home state.
A native of Launceston, Ambrose will draw plenty of local support in what many
people believe will be Tasmania's largest ever sporting attendance.
Ambrose currently holds a 166-point championship lead over his closest competitor
Jason Bright. With a maximum of 192 points available for the three-race round,
Ambrose must beat Bright by six places and Greg Murphy by just one position,
to wrap-up the title with one round remaining.
“It's pretty much the perfect home coming,” said Ambrose.
“I'm really excited about racing for the first time at Symmons Plains and being
well placed to win the title.
“I'm going to Tasmania to win the round. I'm fully aware of the championship,
but we perform best when we go for victory.
“It's my V8 race debut at Symmons Plains, but along with the team we're confident
of getting a handle on the track from the outset. Although there are some drivers
with experience of the track, it's been five years since the V8's raced there.
The fact that the cars have improved and the tyres have changed means everyone's
on a level playing field.
“I do have to rely on Jason Bright having a poor weekend, but as Indy showed
that can happen.
“I'm sure it's going to be one of the most exciting events of the 2004 season.”
Ambrose won't be the only driver Tasmanians will be following, with two-time
Bathurst winner and 1995 Series Champion John Bowe (OzEmail Racing) sure to draw
plenty of support as well as fellow Devonport racer Owen Kelly (WPS Racing).
“As a proud Tasmanian I can now say that the V8 Supercar Championship Series
is truly national again,” said Bowe.
“Like Marcos, I'm excited about racing at Symmons Plains. It's a very challenging
track with the hairpin at the end of the front straight sure to see plenty of
action over the three races.
“For the Tasmanian fans who haven't come to a race since 1999, they will not
believe how the whole show of V8 Supercars has improved. It's going to be the
biggest thing ever in Tassie, that's for sure!
“We've had a good year. The third placing at Bathurst was a good reward, but
all things going well I'm aiming at having a real go at Symmons Plains.
“Yes I want to see Marcos win the championship, but I'd really like to see a
stack of Fords at the front and us somewhere near the top of the order.”
For Owen Kelly the opportunity to race in Tasmania is a bonus after strong performances
in this year's Konica-Minolta V8 Series where he won a total of seven individual
races.
Kelly has been drafted into the WPS Racing team for Tasmania and the final round
at Sydney's Eastern Creek replacing Alex Yoong.
“It is a great opportunity to run in the two races, especially at home in Tasmania,”
said Kelly.
“It's my first outing with the WPS Racing team but I'll be working with a few
familiar faces. The WPS Racing chief engineer Ian Walburn was actually my race
engineer when we finished second at Symmons Plains in the 2000 Super Tourer round.
“My goals are realistic this time around, with a top-10 finish by the end of
the weekend a strong possibility.
“I've had a good year with all rounds of the Konica-Minolta Series as well as
Sandown and Bathurst. I'm very keen to finish the year on a high and impress
teams still looking to finalise their line-ups for 2005.”
Symmons Plains will feature a fresh new look in 2004 with improved facilities
including a new pit/corporate complex.
The V8 Supercars hit the track on Friday for opening practice, followed by further
practice, qualifying, top-10 shootout and the opening 42-lap race on Saturday.
Sunday completes the weekend with a further two 42-laps races. Each race features
a compulsory tyre pit stop.
V8 Supercar details for Symmons Plains
Top 10 Shootout - Saturday 13 November - 2pm
Race 1 (42 laps - 101.22km) - Saturday 13 November - 4pm
Race 2 (42 laps - 101.22km) - Sunday 14 November - 12.05pm
Race 3 (42 laps - 101.22km) - Sunday 14 November - 3pm
Circuit: Symmons Plains, Tasmania
Length: 2.41km
Lap Records:
Qualifying: Radisich 0:53.4381 (1999)
Race - Lowndes 0:54.5805 (1996)
Estimated top speed: 250km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 140 km/h
Ford's V8 Line-up for Symmons Plains
#1 Marcos Ambrose (Tas) Pirtek Racing
#9 Russell Ingall (SA) Caltex Havoline Racing
#5 Glenn Seton (NSW) Ford Credit/FPV Ford Performance Racing
#6 Craig Lowndes (Vic) CAT Ford Performance Racing
#10 Jason Bargwanna (NSW) Orrcon Steel Racing
#20 Mark Winterbottom (NSW) Orrcon Steel Racing
#12 John Bowe (Tas) OzEmail Race Team
#21 Brad Jones (NSW) OzEmail Race Team
#17 Steve Johnson (Qld) Shell Helix Racing
#18 Warren Luff (NSW) Shell Helix Racing
#23 David Besnard (NSW) WPS Racing
#48 Owen Kelly (Tas) WPS Racing
#31 Steve Ellery (Vic) Steve Ellery Racing
#88 Paul Radisich (NZ) Team Betta Electrical
#888 Max Wilson (Brazil) Team Betta Electrical
Ford V8 Milestones at Symmons Plains
75th start - Brad Jones - OzEmail Racing
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: 08/11/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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