PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT FOR STONE BROTHERS RACING
19/4/2005 13:27 (Press Release) -
Stone Brothers Racing duo Marcos Ambrose and Russell Ingall predict the best is yet to come after both turning in inspired performances during today’s two-hour practice session of the PlaceMakers V8 international at Pukekohe, New Zealand.
Ambrose guided his Pirtek Racing Falcon with incredible ease around the challenging 2.82 kilometre circuit to secure the best time of the day at 55.813 seconds, slashing nearly a full second off the existing qualifying record.
The reigning Championship titleholder has predicted even bigger things to come as he shoots for five straight race victories after his domination of round one in Adelaide last month.
“This track is fantastic and with the work they’ve done to smooth out the bumps since last year I can’t see why we can’t aim to go even faster on new tyres tomorrow for race one,” said Ambrose.
“We’ve finally got a format where we can work towards something with the two hour practice session.
“I can’t wait to get back out on track and look to secure something special here at Pukekohe.
“We’re carrying a lot more speed at numerous areas of the track and fans are assured an action packed program of racing this weekend.
“There’s a lot of guys who really stepped up a level today but I have absolute faith in what the Stone Brothers team has put together and am confident of a good result.
Testament to the ingenuity of the Pirtek Racing team, a slight alternator wire problem was overcome with relative ease prior to Ambrose starting the practice session.
No such problems for Russell Ingall in his Caltex Racing Falcon when he elected to run on old tyres, yet was still among the front-runners for the bulk of the practice session.
His time of 56.2896 seconds was a more than respectable result under such circumstances and the hard charger came away pleased with the overall performance and reliability of his car.
“This is now a very grippy race track and there are definitely going to be some quality times turned in tomorrow, said Ingall.
“I couldn’t be happier with the Caltex Falcon as we didn’t push overly hard and still remained competitive and managed a fair bit of consistency.
“But with this tremendous increase in speed some drivers may come unstuck as they did today and in racing conditions that will cause some issues.
“There were a few cars spearing off then bringing dirt out on the track so we’ll be wary of that tomorrow.”
Last year’s Championship Series runner-up is well poised in sixth position after round one of 2005.
A progression up the ladder is motivation enough as both he and Series leader Ambrose look to put it all together during a 20-minute morning qualifying before a 36-lap flyer during race one of three at 3pm tomorrow.
2005 PLACEMAKERS V8 INTERNATIONAL (Round 2 of 13)
PRACTICE TIMES
1. Marcos Ambrose (Ford) 55.8130
2. Steven Richards (Holden) 55.8320
3. Paul Radisich (Holden) 55.8891
4. Mark Skaife (Holden) 55.8961
5. Garth Tander (Holden) 55.9365
6. Craig Lowndes (Ford) 55.9994
7. Jamie Whincup (Holden) 56.0464
8. Paul Dumbrell (Holden) 56.0953
9. Greg Murphy (Holden) 56.1533
10. Paul Morris (Holden) 56.1774
11. Rick Kelly (Holden) 56.1807
12. Jason Richards (Holden) 56.1927
13. Glenn Seton (Ford) 56.2037
14. John Bowe (Ford) 56.2160
15. Todd Kelly (Holden) 56.2199
16. Steve Ellery (Ford) 56.2221
17. David Besnard (Ford) 56.2359
18. Brad Jones (Ford) 56.2421
19. Steven Johnson (Ford) 56.2592
20. Paul Weel (Holden) 56.2873
21. Russell Ingall (Ford) 56.2896
22. Cameron McConnville (Holden) 56.3699
23. Anthony Tratt (Holden) 56.5282
24. Jason Bright (Ford) 56.5344
25. Max Wilson (Holden) 56.5444
26. Mark Winterbottom (Ford) 56.6163
27. Craig Baird (Ford) 56.7989
28. Simon Wills (Holden) 56.8021
29. Jason Bargwanna (Ford) 56.8096
30. Greg Ritter (Ford) 56.9240
31. Matthew White (Ford) 57.1319
32. Andrew Jones (Holden) 57.7196
2005 PLACEMAKERS V8 INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE, PUKEKOHE, NZ
(Local NZ time)
Saturday April 16
11.30pm – 12.15pm – Qualifying
12.30pm – 1.00pm – Top Ten Shootout
3.00pm – 3.50pm – RACE 1 (36 laps)
Sunday April 17
12.10pm – 1.15pm – RACE 2 (50 laps)
4.35pm – 5.40pm – RACE 3 (50 laps)
TV Telecast – Network Ten
Sunday April 17
12.00pm – 5.00 pm (AEST)
Release Date: 15/04/2005
Stone Brothers Racing
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