FPR MISSES EASTERN CREEK GRAND FINALE PODIUM BY FIVE LAPS
11/1/2005 16:23 (Press Release) -
Ford Performance Racing (FPR) drivers Craig Lowndes and
Glenn Seton have completed the final round of the 2004 V8 Supercar season and
their final races with FPR at Sydney's Eastern Creek today.
Despite fighting drives by both drivers throughout the round, the highlight
being CAT FPR Falcon driver Craig Lowndes' second place in Saturday's twilight
race and third place in today's first of two races. The third and final race of
the round today saw the disappointment of retirement with five laps remaining
due to an engine failure while in 5th position, and while heading for the
runner-up honours for the round.
Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Glenn Seton finished 17th overall at this season
finale, the double Champion struggling with traction problems throughout the
weekend. Seton raced to 14th in Saturday's first race, 13th in today's second
race and 22nd in the third encounter.
The 13th and final round of the 2004 Australian V8 Supercar Championship Series
was won by Ford driver and newly crowned double Champion Marcos Ambrose, with
Ford drivers Paul Radisich and Russell Ingall second and third in a blue oval
clean sweep.
#6 Craig Lowndes - "The third race was really a shame, as we had a reasonable
car today due to the steady improvement we had made throughout the weekend, but
I have to say that it was very hard work behind the wheel during today's races.
I think most of us out there struggled all weekend for grip and consistency, so
it was great to be in the running for a podium finish for most of the round. It
was a bit of a sad way to finish off 2004 and my career at FPR, it seems that
some of our old problems came back to haunt us in that final race. I have no
doubt that the team will sort out whatever it was that happened and get their
reliability on track for a great 2005. It was disappointments like this that
made us much stronger this season and I'm sure that the team will continue to
get stronger as a result of this in the future."
#5 Glenn Seton - "Today's races were unbelievably difficult. The car wasn't as
well balanced as I would have liked and I struggled with understeer throughout
the weekend. I have to say that this is a sad moment for me as there is so much
history involved here from GSR which became FPR. There are team members here
who worked with my original team and being a part of the first two years of
this team has been great for me. It has certainly been quite a life change for
me - going from being a totally hands-on team owner and driver to only driving.
I have to admit that it was initially very difficult for me to make this
transition. We all have to make decisions for our future and I'm looking
forward to the future ahead. l'll remember my days with FPR as good ones."
FPR Chief Engineer, John Russell - "It was a shame to end the season with a
retirement when we were heading for what seemed to be a certain podium finish.
I'd like to thank Craig and Glenn for their efforts over the past two years and
wish them the best for the future. Despite what happened today, we were in very
strong form throughout and we are excited about the new season ahead."
FPR Managing Director David Flint - "Every single person in this team has
worked very hard to turn our performances around and we have seen a steady and
determined improvement during the second half of this season. While it was a
sad way to end the year, we should think about how we lifted our game
incredibly this season due to the totally committed efforts of everyone
involved. Our thanks go to Craig and Glenn for playing such a major part in
FPR's first two years. Bring on 2005!"
FPR would like to take this opportunity to thank the media for their support
throughout 2004. The team will be unveiling their exciting new livery and
complete 2005 driver line up early in the new year.
INDIVIDUAL RACE SUMMARIES
Race 1 - 6:30pm Saturday - 26 Laps / Warm and clear
Craig Lowndes made the most from a spectacular start to finish second to newly
crowned Ford double Champion Marcos Ambrose in Saturday's first of three V8
Supercar Grand Finale races at Sydney's Eastern Creek Raceway.
The CAT FPR Falcon driver was in blistering form throughout the 26 lap, 100
kilometre race to finish 11.8 seconds behind Ambrose, and a mere 7/10ths of
a second ahead of Holden rival Jason Bright. This ensures a front row start
beside the new blue oval Champion for the first of two 150 kilometre races to
be held tomorrow.
Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Glenn Seton finished 14th after a fighting drive
from 23rd on the starting grid. His opening lap effort of making up six
positions helped him make his way into the midfield, giving the double Champion
a much better starting position for Sunday's remaining races.
Lowndes qualified 7th earlier in the day, after a day of set-up problems
encountered in the warm up and practice sessions. He managed to vault into 4th
during the top ten shoot-out, his highest shoot-out result for the season.
Seton endured a troublesome run throughout practice and qualifying, resulting
in his lowly starting position of 23rd.
Both FPR Falcons ran faultlessly throughout the hectic paced Eastern Creek
opening race, which for the first time this season was a twilight race that
started at 6:30pm. Lowndes' effort earned the team their first ever front row
race start for Sunday's second race.
Race 2 - 12:30pm - 39 laps / 150km / Hot and sunny
CAT FPR Falcon driver Craig Lowndes made another superb start from Team FPR's
first ever front row starting position (second) to power past Ford driver
Marcos Ambrose into the first turn to lead the race.
Ford Credit FPV Falcon driver Glenn Seton remained in his starting position of
14th on the opening lap. Seton was the first of the two FPR drivers to pit on
lap 9, while in 10th position, with Lowndes following immediately after while
leading.
Lowndes was 9th and Seton 22nd by the time the majority of the field re-settled
positions following compulsory pit stops (lap 16) Lowndes' progress from this
point was outstanding, racing to 4th by lap 18, 3rd by lap 22 and within four
laps he had closed the gap to Ford driver Paul Radisich from 4 seconds to
2/10ths of a second.
This provided the battle of the race, as Lowndes relentlessly chased Radisich
but was not able to get past by the chequered flag. Seton progressed from 19th
to 17th by lap 22, raced to 16th by lap 29 and 13th by lap 35, moving him
closer to the top ten for the start of the third and final race of the weekend.
Newly crowned Ford double Champion Marcos Ambrose won the race by 19.2 seconds
ahead of Radisich and
Lowndes.
Race 3 - 3:40pm / 39 Laps / Overcast and humid conditions.
Starting from 3rd on the grid, Lowndes dropped a position to 4th at the green
light after a slow start off the line. An early Safety Car period (the only one
of the weekend), took place on the first lap when Ford driver Mark Winterbottom
got himself stranded in a gravel trap shortly after the start. The race re-
started on the 4th lap and the team elected to bring the CAT FPR Falcon driver
into the pits on lap 7. After emerging 30th, (due to many of the competitors
holding their pit stops for predicted late afternoon rain) Lowndes continued to
set fast laps to keep him in the running for a top five finish.Ford Credit FPV
Falcon driver Seton was up to 9th on the tenth lap, the team making his pit
call on the 11th lap. He emerged 32nd and continued his charge despite an early
alternator problem.
By the mid stages of the race Lowndes engaged in a fierce battle with Ford
driver John Bowe, the FPR driver powering ahead of his rival on lap 21. Seton
was locked in a race long battle with Holden driver Greg Murphy during the mid
stages. A major exodus to the pits took place by most of the remaining
competitors on lap 27, promoting Lowndes to 6th and Seton to 21st.
With just five laps remaining, a suspected oil line failure ended Lowndes'
chances of a certain second overall finish, the triple Champion ending his two
year tenure at FPR in the pits. He was in 5th position by this stage. Seton
soldiered on despite a badly understeering car to finish his final race with
FPR in 22nd place.
Release Date: 05/12/2004
Ford Performance Racing
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