INGALL ON THE LIMIT THIS WEEKEND
17/3/2005 17:46 (Press Release) -
Caltex Racing’s Russell Ingall has declared that anyone who treats this weekend’s V8 Supercar support events at the Foster’s Australian Grand Prix as a “walk in the park” could end up in serious trouble.
The V8 Supercar lap record holder at Albert Park, Ingall says he will be treating this weekend’s three support races as seriously as any championship round.
Ingall has had some great results at the Melbourne GP in the past, including victory on debut for Ford in 2003.
After a committed off-season training routine, Ingall says he is ready to be “unleashed” this weekend and head into the opening round of the championship in Adelaide in two weeks time with plenty of momentum in his Stone Brothers Racing-prepared Falcon.
“Every year I have raced at the Grand Prix I have had the same attitude,” said Ingall.
“The races might not be for championship points, but a race is a race.
“Anyone who is not focused on trying to win these races can end up in a wall quite easily or cause drama for other around them.
“Further limits to testing this season means that you are going to be spending even less time in the car.
“I think that means that every time you are in the car you have to be on the limit and that will certainly be the case this weekend.”
This year’s Grand Prix will include three V8 Supercar races, but will not include a traditional top 10 shootout - and Ingall is far from disappointed!
“It is no secret that I am not a fan for the shootout,” said Ingall.
“I think they really take so much away from the real qualifying session and are a waste of time.
“The fact that we don’t have a shootout this weekend will certainly have a negative effect on some drivers.
“It is going to mean a different approach by everyone in qualifying tomorrow.”
TRACK FACTS – ALBERT PARK, MELBOURNE
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne, Victoria
2005 Race format: Qualifying (Thursday); Race 1 - 10 Laps (Friday); Race 2 - 19 Laps (Saturday); Race 3 – 10 Laps (Sunday) – No compulsory pit stops
Circuit Length: 5.303km
Circuit Direction: Clockwise
Average Speed: 145kph
Maximum Speed: 275kph
Qualifying Record: Craig Lowndes (Holden, Commodore, 1999) 1:57.657s
Lap Record: Russell Ingall (Holden Commodore, 1998) 1:58.721s
WEEKEND SCHEDULE – AGP
V8 SUPERCARS
Thursday, March 3, 2005
10.55am-11.25am – Practice session
2.30pm-3.15pm – Qualifying
Friday, March 4, 2005
3.30pm - Race 1 (10 Laps)
Saturday, March 5, 2005
12.30pm-12.40pm – Driver Parade lap
2.30pm – Race 2 (19 Laps)
Sunday, March 6, 2005
11.20am – Race 3 (10 Laps)
TV TELECAST – NETWORK TEN
Saturday – March 5, 2005
9am-5pm (EDST) – 8am-4pm (Queensland)
Sunday – March 6, 2005
9am-5pm (EDST) – 8am-4pm (Queensland)
Release Date: 02/03/2005
Caltex Racing - SBR
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