CRAIG LOWNDES 6TH IN FIRST TASMANIAN TUSSLE
26/11/2004 23:40 (Press Release) -
Ford Performance Racing driver Craig Lowndes has finished
6th in the first of three Tasmanian V8 Supercar races being held this weekend
at Launceston's Symmons Plains Raceway. Glenn Seton endured a tough race
punctuated by an off circuit foray and an unsuccessful gamble on wet tyres.
The 42 lapper started at 4:00pm and by the mid stages of the race dark storm
clouds provided the continuous threat of heavy rain - but only brief light
showers saw the circuit remain mostly dry.
Both Seton and Lowndes made strong starts in today's race, Seton making up two
positions from the green light and Lowndes bringing his CAT FPR Falcon into the
pits while in 3rd position after 11 laps (from 7th on the grid). Racing on
slick (dry) tyres throughout, Lowndes muscled his way to 6th by the chequered
flag.
Seton was forced to run his Ford Credit FPV Falcon off the circuit to avoid
impacting the early braking Max Wilson on the approach to the turn four hairpin
on lap 10, this costing the 1992 Symmons Plains winner valuable time and track
positions after his first tyre stop. With dark clouds and rain showers closing
in around the circuit, the team made the decision to take a gamble with one of
the team's FPR Falcons in the unpredictable conditions with wet tyres, but the
expected heavy showers never came. Seton finished 28th.
The first Tasmanian Triple Challenge V8 Supercar race was won by Holden driver
Rick Kelly ahead of Ford's Marcos Ambrose and Todd Kelly (Holden). Lowndes was
the second highest placed Ford driver in the race.
FPR returns to the track tomorrow for the second and third races of the round
scheduled at 12:05pm and 3:00pm.
#6 Craig Lowndes - "The car was good in the race, I was holding station with
the bunch of drivers in front of me until our tyre stop. The second set of
tyres had a little more understeer than the first set, so it got a bit tougher
as the race went on. I benefitted from some of the moves going on in front of
me and I had a few battles of my own going on that included some contact - so
it was good to finish in the top six. I thought it wasn't wet enough to change
to wets during the mid stages, but it was an each way call."
#5 Glenn Seton - "I had a good race car today and after a strong start I was in
the top five by the tyre stop. I exited pit lane with Max Wilson in front of
me, he braked early heading into the hairpin and I had the choice of an impact
with him or running off the road. This was costly and the gamble to change to
wets proved to be a mistake as the circuit was too dry despite the rain in the
area. We have some work to do tomorrow from 28th but we have a strong race car."
FPR Chief Engineer, John Russell - "A solid drive by Craig, consolidating his
top ten qualifying position with 6th in the race. We took a gamble with Glenn
as the weather closed in to continue his race on wets, this didn't pay off and
unfortunately dropped him down a lap. There are two more races tomorrow and we
are looking forward to better results for both FPR Falcons."
Release Date: 13/11/2004
Ford Performance Racing
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