AMBROSE QUICKEST IN SYMMONS PLAINS V8 PRACTICE
26/11/2004 22:36 (Press Release) -
Pirtek Racing's Marcos Ambrose was quickest in the opening practice session for
this weekend's Tasmanian Triple Challenge at Symmons Plains Raceway.
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 Stone Brothers Racing teammate Russell Ingall (Caltex Havoline Racing)
rounded off a great day for the team by producing the fourth-fastest time of
the session after setting the early pace.
"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. The change in results means that
Jason Bargwanna has been awarded third overall; his first podium result for Ford.
* 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.
PRACTICE 1 - TASMANIAN TRIPLE CHALLENGE
1: Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 52.8467
2: Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +0.0140
3: Mark Skaife - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore +0.0898
4: Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.1071
5: Steve Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore +0.1838
6: Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore +0.1842
7: Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore +0.2692
8: Craig Lowndes - CAT Ford Performance Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.3448
9: Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA +0.3527
10: Glenn Seton - Ford Credit/FPV - Ford Falcon BA +0.3573
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
Ben Beazley
Ford Racing Media Manager
Ford Motor Company of Australia
1735 Sydney Road
Campbellfield Victoria 3061
Phone: +61 (0)3 9359 8190
Mobile: +61 (0)417 262 753
Fax: +61 (0)3 9359 8900
E-Mail: benb@global-marketing.com
Ford - V8 Supercar Manufacturers' Champions
Falcon - The Boss of V8 Supercars
Release Date: 12/11/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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