FORD V8'S READY FOR GRAND PRIX EVENT
17/3/2005 17:33 (Press Release) -
Ford fans starved of race action over the summer months will get their
first chance to see the V8 Supercars in action this weekend at the Australian
Formula One Grand Prix.
While most of the attention is sure to be focused on defending two-time
V8 Supercar Champion Marcos Ambrose (Pirtek Racing), he'll feel the heat
from a number of other Ford teams that have strengthened their line-ups
in the off-season.
“The Grand Prix has plenty of good memories, including pole position in
my first ever V8 Supercar race in 2001,” said Ambrose.
“I'm keen to repeat that this year, but I have to say that with the improvements
the other Ford teams have made it will be far from easy.
“I expect a tough challenge from the other Ford teams from the Grand Prix
onwards. Winning the championship this year will be a mighty challenge,
but I'm focused on doing that.
“The Grand Prix provides us all with a great opportunity to really shake
things down before the Clipsal 500 in two weeks time.”
Driver movements and new sponsor deals have dominated the off-season talk,
now all that activity will be on public show from Thursday's first practice
session.
Stealing a lot of attention will be Team Betta Electrical, which has added
three-time champion Craig Lowndes and the ultra competitive Steve Ellery.
“There have been some big changes for our team, but we believe we've got
the chemistry right from the start,” said Lowndes.
“There's no doubt Marcos remains the man to beat, but we're in the game
to win and that includes the Grand Prix.
“The Grand Prix is non-championship, but it's still is a key indicator
for the year ahead. You want to go well at Albert Park and keep it rolling
for the rest of the season.”
It's also a fresh look for Dick Johnson's newly liveried Westpoint Racing.
The legendary Ford team has also added another one of Ford's favourite
sons in Glenn Seton.
“I know a lot of people are excited about Dick and I joining forces, now
it's time to show just what can be achieved in 2005,” said Seton.
“I really like the Grand Prix event, it's a huge weekend of racing and
plenty of people come out to see the V8's.
“I'm more than aware that we're in Ford's home town and Victorian fans
won't see us again until the Sandown 500 in September. I'm sure all the
Ford teams, including us, will give them plenty to cheer about.
“Certainly my career has been dominated by the colour blue and I'm pleased
to once again be driving a 'True Blue' Falcon in 2005.”
The Ford V8 drivers have a busy week of events in Melbourne at and around
the Grand Prix. Included will be the Grand Prix Street Parade and autograph
session at lunchtime on Wednesday; appearances on the Ford stand at the
Melbourne Motor Show and autograph sessions at the Albert Park track over
the weekend.
All three V8 Supercar races will be shown live on Network Ten (check local
guides) from Friday afternoon.
The race schedule includes practice and qualifying on Thursday, race #1
(10 laps) on Friday from 3.30pm; race #2 (19 lap - 100km) on Saturday from
2.30pm and the final 10-lap race on Sunday from 11.20am.
Ford's V8 Line-up for GP Weekend
#1 Marcos Ambrose (Tas) Pirtek Racing
#9 Russell Ingall (SA) Caltex Racing
#5 Greg Ritter (Vic) Ford Credit/FPV Ford Performance Racing
#6 Jason Bright (Vic) CAT Ford Performance Racing
#8 Craig Baird (NZ) WPS Racing
#48 David Besnard (NSW) WPS Racing
#10 Jason Bargwanna (NSW) Orrcon Steel Racing
#20 Mark Winterbottom (NSW) Orrcon Steel Racing
#12 John Bowe (Tas) BOC Racing
#21 Brad Jones (NSW) BOC Racing
#17 Steve Johnson (Qld) Westpoint Racing
#18 Glenn Seton (NSW) Westpoint Racing
#25 Matthew White (Vic) Britek Racing
#88 Steve Ellery (Vic) Team Betta Electrical
#888 Craig Lowndes (Vic) Team Betta Electrical
Release Date: 01/03/2005
Ford Racing Australia
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