AGP RACE 2 - Radisich supreme in Ford blitz
3/3/2001 18:38 (V8 Wire - Jason Whittaker) -
Storming Kiwi Paul Radisich led a Ford blitz on Albert Park today, the second Hot Wheels V8 Supercar Showdown encounter at the Melbourne Formula One Grand Prix.
Radisich leapt off the line from the second row and emerged unscathed from a chaotic first turn to lead a procession of Fords around the 5.3km Albert Park street course. ‘The Rat’ eased up over the final few laps and cruised to a six-second win.
Ford-Tickford Racing’s Steven Richards, a successfully-belligerent Craig Lowndes and CAT Racing’s John Bowe in rare form completed a Blue Oval quinella after the Holden challenge selfdestructed early. Eight Falcons finished inside the top ten.
Despite qualifying back in twelfth, Radisich was fully aware of his Falcon’s capabilities this weekend.
"Going into the race I knew the car could win and once I was clear of the first corner, it was pretty straight forward from there," Radisich said.
"Russell (Ingall) was there for a couple of laps but he dropped back and started racing everyone else, so there was no real pressure. I just cruised around and waited for the end," he said.
New Ford recruit Steven Richards came from tenth on the grid to finish behind Radisich.
But he didn’t get near the reception that the man behind him received. It was a barnstorming, if not slightly erratic drive from Craig Lowndes, much to the delight of the largely pro-Lowndes crowd. The now-Queenslander exceeded everyone’s expectations with a podium-worthy result.
"I inherited a lot of positions out there today. We had a pretty good run of luck,” Lowndes explained.
"The car wasn't quite as good as it was yesterday, so we are still looking for more consistency from it. We've done a good job of keeping out of trouble, and I am thrilled to be where I am at the moment," he said.
The smile on President Geoff Polites’ face could have been even wider (he was surely beaming to see two of his summer recruits spraying champagne), had it not been for a couple of controversial incidents.
From the front row of the grid, Steven Johnson lost out to Mark Skaife in a first corner break duel (both had off-track excursions), and after recovering was forced into the gravel again moments later by Marcus Ambrose. The damaged B-pillar and sill was terminal.
"It’s very disappointing because it wasn’t my fault and I’m positive I would have come second behind Paul (Radisich) at least," a dejected Johnson said.
John Bowe was circulating comfortably in second for the better part of the race, but having to switch to his auxiliary fuel pump late in the race delayed his progress and allowed both Ford-Tickford Falcons through. The latter clash with Seton in the final few corners left Bowe with significant damage.
"As a result of that,” Bowe fumed, “neither of us finished on the podium – I don't think it was very smart."
Bowe says the team is in good shape for tomorrow’s final sprint, if he can, “keep away from the lunacy which seems to have hit half the field.”
K-Mart Racing’s Todd Kelly was a surprise Holden frontrunner, the lone Commodore amongst the leading Ford hoard.
Russell Ingall looked competitive early (running in second for a number of laps) only to be swallowed by the hungry pack after mechanical problems hit.
The dominant force from yesterday, factory Holden men Mark Skaife and Jason Bright’s challenge was over remarkably early today. Skaife retired after his first turn altercation with Johnson, while Bright met his doom a few laps later in the form of Jason Bargwanna.
The crews of Bargwanna, Bright, Skaife, Bowe and Rodney Forbes, among others, will spend tonight in the garage to have their machines on the grid tomorrow.
The Supercars return to raise the curtain on the Formula One showdown tomorrow morning.
**RACE TWO - TOP TEN**
1st PAUL RADISICH (Shell Helix Racing) - AU Falcon
2nd STEVEN RICHARDS (Ford-Tickford Racing) - AU Falcon
3rd CRAIG LOWNDES (Gibson Motorsport) - AU Falcon
4th JOHN BOWE (CAT Racing) - AU Falcon
5th TODD KELLY (K-Mart Racing Team) - VX Commodore
6th RUSSELL INGALL (Castrol Perkins Racing) - VX Commodore
7th GLENN SETON (Ford-Tickford Racing) - AU Falcon
8th PAUL WEEL (K & J Thermal Products Racing) - AU Falcon
9th DAVID BESNARD (Caltex Havoline Racing) - AU Falcon
10th BRAD JONES (OzEmail Internet Racing) - AU Falcon
For complete Race 2 results:
http://www.v8supercar.com.au/2001results/spevent/agp/race2.htm
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