AMBROSE AIMS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT TITLE AT V8 GRAND FINALE IN SYDNEY
29/11/2004 19:32 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercar Champion (Marcos Ambrose) can score his second straight championship
and Ford's first back-to-back titles since Dick Johnson in 1988 and '89,
when he takes to the track for the Big Pond Grand Finale at Sydney's Eastern
Creek from 3-5 December.
Ambrose needs to finish just one of the three races at Eastern Creek no
worse than 15th place to take the title. However, it won't be a conservative
Marcos Ambrose that takes to the track.
The Tasmanian's record at the Sydney track is impressive; 2 wins, a second
place and three pole positions all from five starts. At the corresponding
round last year he completed the double with victory in the round and the
championship.
“Ford fans have waited far too long for back-to-back championships,” said
Ambrose.
“Dick Johnson is one of Ford's great names. To have the opportunity to
be the first driver since him to give the Blue Oval two-straight titles
has me even more determined to get the job done at Eastern Creek.
“The best place to be is up front, both in the race and the championship.
“I want to win the round, but for sure I need to be aware of the championship
situation and that's the priority.
“I don't expect any of the other teams to simply give it to us and we wouldn't
expect it any other way.
“Our Eastern Creek form has been good, but this is motor racing, anything
can happen, just look at the previous round in Tasmania.”
On his homecoming to Symmons Plains Ambrose appeared to be in the box seat,
finishing second in the first race, before winning the second. Then an
engine failure in the final race of the weekend opened the door to his
championship rivals.
His Stone Brothers Racing team has spared nothing in making sure Eastern
Creek is a success with extensive preparation, that has included a full
day's testing at the their home track of Queensland Raceway.
“We completed 42 individual races dating back to the opening round in Adelaide
last year before our failure to finish in Tassie,” said Ambrose.
“I don't have a concern about our reliability going into the Grand Finale.
“Our team has worked extremely hard this year. One of the best ways to
show my respect is to make sure I can play my part in helping my teammate
Russell Ingall (Caltex Racing) to second in the championship.”
Ingall is just 49 points away from second placed Greg Murphy.
“I've finished second in this championship three times, but never had the
opportunity to give my team a 1-2 in the championship,” said Ingall.
“Within the team we're all determined to reach that goal. I won the last
round in Tasmania, so we've got momentum and earlier this year we were
extremely quick at Eastern Creek.
“The last couple of events at Eastern Creek have included heavy rain. I'm
keen to see blue skies and plenty of those Ford blue flags around the track
as we give it our best shot!”
The Big Pond Grand Finale format includes a twilight (26 laps) race on
Saturday evening starting at 6.30pm local time. Network Ten will show this
race live in eastern daylight savings states, providing the opportunity
for Ambrose to secure the V8 Supercar title in prime time.
The final two 39-lap races of the weekend will be held on Sunday. All three
races feature compulsory tyre stops.
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Attendees of the Ford V8 Superbreakfast at Parramatta's Crowne Plaza on
Thursday 2 December will have the chance to win the ride of their life
aboard the Pirtek Racing Falcon of V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose.
The hot lap with Ambrose will be the major raffle prize, with all proceeds
going to Ford Racing's 2004 nominated charity, Breast Cancer research.
So far in 2004 Ford Racing has raised $37,000 through events such as the
Ford V8 Superbreakfasts.
Sydney race fans will get the chance to dine and chat with their favourite
Ford V8 Supercar driver at the Ford V8 Superbreakfast from 7.30am to 9am.
Ford's resurgence in 2003 and '04 has generated plenty of interest. Due
to overwhelming demand for driver appearances, Ford decided to bring everyone
together for a massive pre-race function.
The Ford V8 Superbreakfast includes exclusive driver interviews, live show
entertainment, highlights of the 2004 season, special gifts and giveaways.
Tickets are priced at $80 (plus booking fee) and can be booked through
www.Ticketek.com.au or by calling 13 19 31.
Details for Eastern Creek:
Top 10 Shootout - Saturday 4 December 4.05 pm
Race 1 (26 laps - 102.18) - Saturday 4 December 6.30pm
Race 2 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 12.30pm
Race 3 (39 laps - 153.27) - Sunday 5 December 3.40pm
Circuit: Eastern Creek, New South Wales
Length: 3.93km
Lap Records:
Qualifying - Skaife 1:31.1923 (2003)
Shootout - Ambrose 1:30.8955 (2001)
Race - Skaife 1:31.7301 (2000)
Estimated top speed: 265km/h - Pit Straight
Estimated average speed: 147 km/h
Ford's V8 Line-up for Eastern Creek
#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
V8 Supercar Championship after 12 of 13 rounds
1. Marcos Ambrose - Pirtek Racing - Ford Falcon BA 1982pts
2. Greg Murphy - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore -157pts
3. Jason Bright - PWR - Holden Commodore -166pts
4. Russell Ingall - Caltex Havoline Racing - Ford Falcon BA -206pts
5. Rick Kelly - KMart Racing - Holden Commodore -281pts
6. Steven Richards - Castrol Perkins Motorsport - Holden Commodore -321pts
7. Todd Kelly - Holden Race Team - Holden Commodore -469pts
8. Jason Bargwanna - Orrcon Steel Racing - Ford Falcon BA -580pts
9. John Bowe - OzEmail Racing - Ford Falcon BA -582pts
10. Garth Tander - Valvoline Racing - Holden Commodore -662pts
Release Date: 29/11/2004
Ford Racing Australia
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