PAUL STODDART IMPRESSED BY PIRTEK FALCON
17/3/2005 18:00 (Press Release) -
V8 Supercars have a new fan in Australian F1 team owner Paul Stoddart, who took the time out to have a look around the Pirtek Falcon of defending V8 Supercar champion Marcos Ambrose today.
Stoddart, who will run two Minardi F1 cars at this weekend’s Foster’s Australian Formula One Grand at Melbourne’s Albert Park, was delighted at accept an invitation to get up close with Ambrose’s championship-winning Ford.
“This was my the first time in a V8 Supercar,” said Stoddart
“The technology was the thing that impressed me the most.
“These are real race cars and in a lot of ways emulate formula one and they look like they would be a fantastic challenge to drive.”
Ambrose was more than a gracious host when Stoddart indicated he would like to sit behind the wheel of his Falcon.
“Paul showed a real interest in the car and it was great we could get him in it so he could have a look around,” said Ambrose.
“He was genuinely impressed with the level of engineering and the technology. He has certainly seen one of the best examples of these cars because it is out of the Stone Brothers Racing shop.
“Paul is obviously very passionate about motorsport and it would be great if we could give him the chance to drive one of the cars in the future.”
Stoddart, who grew up in Melbourne and made his fortune in the airline industry, admitted that he has been a long-time Australian touring car fan.
“I used to drive an XU1 Torana myself,” admitted Stoddart.
“I was one of the blokes on the hill when guys like Brock and Moffatt were running around at Bathurst.
“There is no doubt that Bathurst is the high profile V8 race with the international appeal. If for some reason I have forgotten that Bathurst is on, it does not take someone long to remind me.”
Stoddart said that owning a V8 Supercar team in the future was probably unlikely because of his other interests, but admitted that he still had an itch to drive some laps at speed at Bathurst.
“I have always wanted to do a few laps at Bathurst, maybe this will stir me up a bit,” said Stoddart.
The V8 Supercars will have the first of three races at Albert Park tomorrow.
Release Date: 03/03/2005
Pirtek Racing - SBR
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