AMBROSE QUICKEST IN SYMMONS PLAINS PRACTICE
26/11/2004 22:29 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing’s Marcos Ambrose was quickest in the opening practice session for this weekend’s Tasmanian Triple Challenge at Symmons Plains Raceway today.
Ambrose is having his first ever start at his home circuit which is located approximately 30km from where he grew up in Launceston.
Ambrose clocked a time of 52.8467 seconds in his Pirtek Falcon to finish ahead of Mark Skaife (52.8607) and Todd Kelly (52.9365).
Ambrose’s SBR team mate Russell Ingall rounded off a great day for the team by producing the fourth-fastest time of the session after setting the early pace in his Caltex Racing Falcon.
“Well things could not have started much better than that,” said Ambrose.
“To be quickest after the opening session in my first ever race meeting on my home track is pretty special.
“While saying that, there is a long, long way to go and a couple of pretty heavy days ahead of us.
“The car felt pretty good and actually improved as the session progressed.
“We had some reasonable tyres at the end, but I think most of the quick guys had the same. I am certainly looking forward to tomorrow.”
Ingall was also delighted with his opening session – the first time the V8 Supercars have been at Symmons Plains since 1999.
“That was a pretty strong way to start,” said Ingall.
“I have been here a few times so I knew my way around a little bit.
“Our guys did their homework so we had a little pace straight away which is always a good sign.
“The track here is so tight and qualifying is going to be vital.
“I think the top 27 cars were separated by under a second so you really need to milk every ounce of performance out of your car.
“We think there is certainly some more time left in the car, but I guess we will find that out tomorrow.”
RACE NOTE
* The Holden Racing Team’s Todd Kelly has been excluded from race two of the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge at Indy three weeks ago. Kelly’s car was discovered to have an illegal ECU wiring loom and the team was found guilty by CAMS stewards in a special hearing this morning. The HRT incident was not made public until Wednesday, more than two weeks after the event.
* Rick Kelly was found guilty of careless driving arising from his actions in the second race of the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge when he made contact with Jason Bright and put him into the wall at the VB Chicane. Kelly was fined $5000 and has deducted 50 championship points.
* The hearing regarding Marcos Ambrose and Rick Kelly following a pit lane incident at the Gillette V8 Supercar Challenge was still being heard at the time of writing.
TRACK FACTS – SURFERS PARADISE
Venue: Symmons Plains Raceway, Tasmania
2004 Race format: Qualifying (Friday); Top 10 Shootout and Race 1 (42 Laps-100km) (Saturday); Races 2 and 3 (42 laps-100km) (Sunday)
Circuit Length: 2.41km
Circuit Direction: Anti-Clockwise
Maximum Speed: 255 km/h (Back Straight)
Lap Record – Craig Lowndes (1999) 54.5805 seconds
PRACTICE 1 – TASMANIAN TRIPLE CHALLENGE
1: Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 52.8467
2: Todd Kelly (Holden) 52.8607
3: Mark Skaife (Holden) 52.9365
4: Russell Ingall (Ford) 52: 9538
5: Steve Richards (Holden) 53.0305
6: Garth Tander (Holden) 53.0309
7: Greg Murphy (Holden) 53.1159
8: Craig Lowndes (Ford) 53.1915
9: Jason Bargwanna (Ford) 53.1994
10: Glenn Seton (Ford) 53.2040
11: Paul Radisich (Ford) 53.3494
12: Paul Morris (Holden) 53.3799
13: Steve Ellery (Ford) 53.3932
14: Warren Luff (Ford) 53.4187
15: Jason Bright (Holden) 53.4247
16: Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 53.4582
17: Paul Weel (Holden) 53.4646
18: Max Wilson (Ford) 53.4974
19: Simon Wills (Holden) 53.5059
20: Paul Dumbrell (Holden) 53.5163
21: John Bowe (Ford) 53.6149
22: Cameron McConville (Holden) 53.6547
23: Rick Kelly (Holden) 53.6768
24: Jason Richards (Holden) 53.6947
25: David Besnard (Ford) 53.7247
26: Brad Jones (Ford) 53.7305
27: Steve Johnson (Ford) 53.8874
28: Dale Brede (Holden) 53.9319
29: Alex Davison (Holden) 54.0825
30: Anthony Tratt (Holden) 54.1413
31: Craig Baird (Holden) 54.3341
32: Owen Kelly (Ford) 54.7783
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS (After 11 of 13 rounds)
* These points have been adjusted after today’s hearings.
1: Marcos Ambrose 1856
2: Jason Bright 1690
3: Greg Murphy 1665
4: Russell Ingall 1612
5: Rick Kelly 1575
6: Steven Richards 1509
7: Todd Kelly 1393
8: Jason Bargwanna 1312
9: John Bowe 1296
10: Garth Tander 1254
EVENT SCHEDULE < br>
Saturday November 13
9:20am – 9:55am - Practice 2
11:35am – 11:50am - Qualifying Lower 50%
12:00pm - 12:20pm - Qualifying Upper 50%
2:00pm - 2:30pm – Top Ten Shoot Out
4:00pm - Race 1 (42 laps)
Sunday November 14
10:00am – 10:20am - Warm Up
12:05pm - Race 2 (42 laps)
3:00pm - Race 3 (42 laps)
TELECAST TIMES - Network Ten
Saturday November 13
3:00pm – 5:00pm (EDST)
Sunday November 14
1:30pm – 5:00pm (EDST)
Release Date: 12/11/2004
Stone Brothers Racing
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